By John Dania
LAGOS AUGUST 14TH (URHOBOTODAY0-So much ado about the violent sect in Nigeria, Boko haram, I would rather say is overrated.
No doubt, they have caused havoc in Nigeria and beyond, but are they enough to draw the curtain on our Muslim brothers?
A young man trying to board a taxi sees a Muslim man and changes in his mind on traveling with him. A lady standing beside a woman in ijab and she’s all scared, “what if she’s carrying an explosive device?”
Politician, Business men who are Muslims are being stung, everyone now think they are sponsors of the violent sect; from Asiwaju Ahmed Tinubu, General Ibrahim Babangida, Aliko Dangote and their likes.
What happened to the days when Muslims and Christians live in peace and same neighbourhood?
My best friend 15 years ago was a Muslim, I go to their house and have a good time but now, I do not want the Secret service to come knocking on my door.
My thought, Nigeria is divided!
“The labour of our heroes past shall never be in vein…”, I doubt this and more.
Christians are running out from northern states, Muslims fleeing because of the stigma in other geo-political zones.
There was heightened fear in parts of the South-East on Monday, June 16th, 2014 as news spread that hundreds of persons suspected to be Boko Haram members were arrested in Abia State.
The suspects, including eight women, were said to have been arrested along the Enugu-Port Harcourt Expressway by soldiers attached to the 144 Battalion of the Nigerian Army, Asa in the Ukwa West Local Government Area .
Their arrest occurred some hours after security operatives detonated improvised explosive devices planted on the premises of a branch of the Living Faith World Bible Church (a.k.a. Winners Chapel) in Owerri, Imo State.
Before the Commander of the 144 Battalion, Lt. Col. Rasheed Omolori, announced the suspects’ arrest, the South-East governors vowed after paying a solidarity visit to President Goodluck Jonathan in Abuja that they would not allow Boko Haram to attack the zone.
What a Sting on Muslims!
Check points everywhere, at every town border, trips of 2hours to Kaduna now last for as long as 4 hours because of the number of checkpoints.
Barricades are now part of home designs; architects now include it in their plan before intended home owners can patronize you.
As funny as all these sound, the dream of keeping Nigeria as one is gradually falling apart.
WAZOBIA as we were fondly called sound better that WA, ZO and BIA.
Unity is all we seek; peace is all we long for. Let us strive to restore the lost glory.
Muslims have been stung but we can unite to become greater if we can only embrace peace.
Peace is ALL we NEED!