Editor’s note: The writer, Buchi Obichie, tackles the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN), over their response to the recent killings in Plateau state. She faults a top member of the group for saying that the attack was an act of revenge for the murder of cattle; and insists that human lives are more important than the lives of other animals!
“And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.”
That’s a portion of scripture from Genesis Chapter 1 vs 26, King James Version; and it outlines God’s decree at creation, which gave man control over all other animals.
Now, I am not a scholar on biblical matters; but I dare say that from the above scripture, it is clear to see that God never intended that man should be subject to animals, for any reason. It also shows that in the creator’s eyes, man will always come first, before all other creatures…we were made in his image and likeness afterall!
So, with that in mind, and also keeping in mind that Christians and Muslims alike usually claim to serve ‘the same God’, one wonders why it seems like certain people seem to believe that livestock are more important than human beings.
On Saturday, June 23, Nigeria was thrown into another phase of mourning as over 100 people were reportedly killed by herdsmen, in Barkin Ladi local government area of Plateau.
As has become the new norm, the security agencies were unable to prevent such a horrific attack; so, once again, innocent lives were taken by heartless monsters.
Now, in reaction to the development, various publications reported that a leader of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) said it was an ‘act of revenge.’
Specifically, the chairman of the association’s north-central chapter, Danladi Ciroma, reportedly stated that the attacks were “retaliatory”.
In his words: “These attacks are retaliatory. As much as I don’t support the killing of human being, the truth must be told that those who carried out the attacks must be on revenge mission.
“Fulani herdsmen have lost about 300 cows in the last few weeks – 94 cows were rustled by armed Berom youths in Fan village, another 36 cows were killed by Berom youths. In addition to that, 174 cattle were rustled.”
I am perplexed, angry, outraged and shocked by these comments, to say the least!
How can the death of even a million cows justify the murder of a single individual?
The most annoying thing is that this is not the first time this group has made such a flippant statement.
On New Year’s Day, two communities in Benue state were thrown into mourning as 20 persons were killed by suspected herdsmen.
A leader of the Miyetti Allah cattle breeders association in the state, Garus Gololo, reportedly revealed that the savage attack was due to a theft of cows from herdsmen by members of the communities.
According to Galolo, over 1000 of their cows were stolen at Nengere when their owners were relocating to Taraba through Nasarawa state. He said the herdsmen were only defending themselves from thieves.
What?
Since when have cattle become more important than human beings? Cattle whose fate is to end up in the cooking pot, the stomach and eventually the latrine!
Now, I understand that with the increase in population, grazing reserves have been wiped out, forcing herdsmen to encroach on farmlands in search of pasture for their cattle. Hence, clashes between these nomads and farmers become all too common. Still, there is no justification whatsoever, for such callous and wicked acts against fellow human beings.
And it is even more baffling that people would be allowed to get away with such callous statements; especially at a time when the government claims to be waging a war against hate speech.
To be honest, it would be easy for an onlooker to conclude that some people can say anything and get away with it, because they are protected by certain powerful individuals at the top. In that same vein, some may even conclude – correctly or incorrectly - that certain actions may be sanctioned by shadowy forces who wield great power.
Whatever the case may be, we cannot tolerate such acts from a segment of the populace; and we certainly cannot keep accepting words of condolence from a government which has a responsibility of protecting the lives of its citizens.
PAY ATTENTION: Install our latest app for Android, read best news on Nigeria’s #1 news app
Cattle can never be more important than human beings; and people should never be allowed to get away with such monstrosity, and so easily. These acts are inhumane, cruel, and barbaric. To call things as they are, they are crimes against humanity, carried out by ‘terrorists’!
To be clear, this is by no means an outrage fuelled by ethnic bias; but one which stems from the desire to see all human lives protected…whether that life is Hausa, Igbo, Yoruba or from any other tribe.
All lives are precious; and all must be protected…above and beyond the life of any cattle, sheep, goat etc. That’s the way the creator intended things to be.
Human lives matter…much more than that of cows…period!
This opinion piece was written by Buchi Obichie.
The views expressed in this article are the author’s own and do not necessarily represent the editorial policy of NAIJ.com.
Why President Buhari cannot control killings in Nigeria? - on NAIJ.com TV:
Source: Naija.ng
from Nigeria News today & Breaking news ▷ Read Naija news 24/7 https://ift.tt/2N6eR9M
via IFTTT
No comments:
Post a Comment