Of course, it is no longer news that bombs go off indiscriminately in Jos and that people, especially policemen, are hacked down, any how, in the streets of Maidugiri. It is not even news that the number of people who are killed in such sectarian crises in Jos, Bauchi and Maidugiri actually surpasses the number killed in the then turbulent Niger Delta.
Now, it is becoming fashionable that the bombs have come down to Abuja, the nation’s capital.
As it is no longer news that these and more happen, many cannot even follow the trend any more. Sometimes, news reports of these, in their individual occurrences, leave people confused, as to which immediate development was the news. Just imagine, before we digested or was it suffered the indigestion of the latest Jos mayhem, it quickly came in the news that bombs or dynamites had gone off in great bangs in Abuja.
One fastidious senior member of the government was wasting his time explaining that it was dynamite, not bomb, which went off in Abuja. He was so argumentative about it that you begin to wonder whether dynamite had become less deadly, because in comparison with the bomb, the latter is clearly marked as instrument of war and destruction, while the former can be used by civil organisations such as construction companies in pursuit of marked alteration of the difficult terrain.
But, in any case, how many Nigerians understand that bomb is different from the dynamite. Both make earth-shaking and nerve-shattering noises. Both kill instantly on physical contact with people. In fact, the dynamite, which can bring down buildings, may even be deadlier in the collateral damage it is capable of, in the immediate environment.
But that is not even the issue here. What worries, and deeply troubles the soul, is that there is sudden surge in the bombings and dynamiting at increasing number of spots in Nigeria, just as we approach the entry doors of national elections.
Are they coincidental or are there matters that will have to be resolved by wasting the blood of the innocent?
Lately, government appears jittery or has pretended to be so. Elements of political opposition have voiced fears that plans were afoot to rope them into the crimes, so as to put their programmes in check. In fact, former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar had been reported to be alarmed about some plans to force the odious image of terrorists on his group. Shouting across for all to see and hear the evil designs, he was said to have accused the government of not being entirely transparent in the bad business of bombings and handling of them.
On its part, the government has been decrying the development, working hard at causing Nigerians to appreciate efforts at stemming the ugly tide. Here lies the problem. Remember, a little over a decade ago, in the years between 1993 and 1998, the “owls,” as ugly and as they are frightening, had perched on the iroko behind the house. It hooted and people were so scared. But rather than find out what the gods were angry about, Sani Abacha said it was NADECO that was hooting – throwing bombs and killing men and women who were not in any way connected with the high wire politicking.
I still remember the late MCK Ajuluchukwu challenging the government to prove that NADECO was doing it - to achieve what purpose – by arresting and successfully prosecuting any culprit.
Of course, NADECO had maintained from the outset that it was government that was hooting ominously on the tree-top – throwing the bombs. And in any case, who knew how to handle and detonate those things other than men trained in it – government soldiers?
I cannot forget that day, at a spot near Ojuelegba, Lagos. The bomb boomed in its hideous noise, shaking the tortured earth, tearing off some window louvers, while some forceful smokes soon came into view. The reactions of men were instantaneous. In the Lagos fashion, you run before you ask questions. As son of man flung away the tape recorder, sandals and the jotter and pen, racing without looking back in the direction of Lawanson, the other colleague dived through a harsh cluster of makeshift stores and tore through in the direction of Yaba. The traders, hustlers and area boys also knew that danger was around the corner and fled in various directions.
Being a news man, notwithstanding, the day was almost over before we were told it was one of those NADECO (?) or government (!) bombs that nearly snuffed the life out of us.
I also remember my dry amusement by the reactions of editors, Kelechi Onyemobi and Tony Iyare, who said that “good reporters should have waited to see the way and manner of the bombing, being at the spot.” I just laughed. Me wait to see “the way and manner of bombing,” as if it was picnic and possibly chase a fleeing area boy who would mistake me for the goons and now roast me over a slow fire? I am sorry, no way, Sir!
As the reporters’ inimitable tools of duty – recorder, jotter, pen, etc - flew off the hands of the scampering journalists, other hapless Nigerians lost so much, while the government and NADECO traded words on “who’s done it?”
Well, wasn’t it later in the days, at the dawn of democracy, that it was revealed that the government of Abacha actually threw the bombs to frighten Nigerians into accepting his then designed self-succession agenda. Too bad, you would say.
Now, you appear to have come the full circle. Bombs are not only here again, booming and tearing men from this tedious earth, the occurrences of the explosions, killings and disruptions, have assumed some urgency on the approach of the elections.
If then the government is planting the bombs – like Abacha was revealed to have done – particularly the ones in places other than Jos and Maidugiri, where the contending forces are known, what is likely to be the motive of the bombs in Abuja? To frighten other politicians and opponents of Jonathan, so that the drive at retaining the seat is sealed in favour of the lucky man? Unlikely! Or could these bombs be thrown by the opposition to give the man a bad name, reveal his incompetence (?) and strongly discredit him as unfit for election into the post he already occupies? Too dangerous, if not equally unlikely!
Any relationship, then, with the liberation fighters, in the Niger Delta?
Certainly not their method, as they have always made it clear, and acted in the direction of safety, for innocent Nigerians. At least, they warn people before they strike.
His Eminence, the Sultan of Sokoto, had, in expression of fury and rage, thundered that politicians were behind all the bombs, including the ones in Jos and Maidugiri. You would say, old story, but not quite. The news in it is that it is coming from him; foremost traditional ruler and a retired general. He should know what he is talking about. But can the monarch tell his subjects who these politicians are? Well, I am sure he will not. It is not his job! Whose job, then is it?
Clearly that of Mr. President and his security chiefs, or we begin to liken it to the dark days of Sani Abacha!
Yet, for whatever reasons or who has been responsible, the government cannot even claim that the clear signal for disruption of the 2011 elections had not been revealed to government and Nigerians. Bomb-business is sophisticated and deadly. It rises in complexity and enormity in the incomprehension of the non-military Nigerian. But it has greater potency in the fright and dread it goes with, that no Nigerian, not even the boastful generals, will want to stand in the way of an object rumoured to be bearing the weakest of bombs.
If then Nigerians are so terribly disposed and primed in fright of deadly explosions, can we say that we have not installed the typical weapon of intimidation of the citizenry, by the typical politician, for all times? We have!
If you understand the implications of the foregoing, now stop and think for a while about how such deadly noises can be used to force Nigerians to stay clear of polling booths on election days.
In fact, the mere rumours of the possibilities of bombs at polling centres, which can be easily planted by politicians, will do the trick, and we will, rather than come and vote, go into hiding.
Or, maybe Mr. President and his security team will supply every Nigerian at least one good set of armour-plated clothing, to appear at the polling centres.
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