Violent Crimes and The Spectators

 

The consensus among Nigerians is that the arms build-up in different parts of the country has its background woven around the aspirations of actors in the socio-political scene in the land.

The arms build-up festers side by side with poverty, hunger, and brigandage, while the land has over time become fertile for trading in illegal arms with evil deeds as the major focus.

Indeed, state actors are familiar with the negative effects of injustice, inequality, nepotism, and favoritism, but are, sadly, handicapped by self-centered interests and incurable greed.

Interestingly, the competition for power and privilege has resulted in the loss of precious lives and the wanton destruction of the properties of innocent and harmless citizens. The debate among Nigerians now is on what constitutes the major functions of state actors.

The illegal influx of arms and ammunition has continued unabated through constitutional and unconstitutional channels with the active connivance of those who ought to be well-informed on security matters.

As violent crimes soar nationwide through the use of sophisticated weapons, Those-in-Charge have adopted the position of spectators to the amazement and chagrin of Nigerians.

Why Bible Prophecy is Important 

The Fading Traces of Good Governance

In 1975, the reign of terror was directed and supervised by the Ministry of Interior, where a comprehensive list of action was domiciled in Montevideo.

However, events later showed that what befell the helpless citizenry had little or no direction or supervision.

Masterminded kidnappings, torture and elimination were the trend, with government Ministries, Departments and Agencies(MDA) becoming active while those saddled with the responsibility of protecting lives and property were always available to carry out the unimaginable.

The separate arms of the state competed for the dubious glory of apprehending more subversives and creating a system of sponsored mayhem.

As crime and criminality became the culture, unfortunate relatives of victims met a stone wall at the law enforcement and government offices.

Green Ford Falcon cars became a symbol with different interpretations, while the unexplainable continued unabated.

 Indeed, the deliberate absence of streetlights in most communities across Nigeria encouraged crime and criminality, even as traders, artisans, barbers, craftspeople, market men and women were co-opted to do the unthinkable.

The wholesale disappearance of people from all walks of life sent the wrong signals to all and sundry, with the general belief that the same had erased any trace of good governance.

Lawlessness and impunity are now the order of the day everywhere in Nigeria as anarchy gradually creeps into prominence. Threats, blackmail, harassment, intimidation and attacks are all tools used to achieve sinister motives in this climate, while fraudsters now play a prominent role in government and governance. Community leaders, Homeowners and Tenants Associations and criminally minded residents also play prominent roles in crime. For instance, a vulcanizer and a woman in her mid-thirties, who sell second-hand clothing located at a make-shift shed beside the gate of the Nigeria Baptist Convention quarters along the Scout Camp road, opposite the neighborhood market in Ibadan, Oyo state, Nigeria, are among several traders who perpetrate acts of criminality on a daily basis with impunity, with the knowledge of law enforcement agents. 

Indeed, a sizable number of shop owners in residential areas such as Molusi, Olorunsogo, Molete, Felele and several other communities across the country are now involved in grievous crimes in these communities, with the full support of government appointees, elected officials, public and civil servants. 

The motive which goes beyond the surface appearance is woven around property matters.

Already, the future of most children and young people is now a subject of debate, as crime and criminality systematically overwhelm their consciousness and existence.

Teachers and schools have since abandoned their responsibilities of imparting knowledge for obvious reasons, as the country moves farther and farther from good governance.

 Indeed, those who are supposed to protect lives and property are now facilitating all forms of crime, while those in leadership positions look on with delight.