Buhari’s Nonchalance Towards the Abuja-Kaduna Train Captives -By Sadiya Madu Gwary

Earlier this week, an explicit clip was released, revealing how the Abuja-Kaduna train captives were undergoing torture in the hands of their captors. And what did our dear President do? He ‘condemned’ the action as he always does.

To further show his concern and sympathy to the victims, he jet-off to Liberia barely 48 hours after the release of the clip. The justification for the trip, as conveyed by his spokes person, Garba Shehu, was to commemorate with Liberia on its 175th independence anniversary and to discuss the issue of cross-border terrorism, amongst other issues.

This isn’t atypical at all to our dear President. If we all can recall the day these innocent citizens were attacked, i.e, the 28th day of March, this year, the President acted in similar cold manner. He nonchalantly ‘condemned’ the attack too.

The President never thought it befitting to visit the scene of the attack nor visit the victims’ families. There was no concerted and consistent effort on his part, to ensure the release of the victims and prevent further attack. All there was, were ‘audio promises’.

As baffling as it may sound, all he could think of at that gloomy period in Nigeria, and for us Nigerians, was intently watching the Nigeria’s Super Eagles’ match against the Black Stars of Ghana. How cruel!

No human of conscience will be nonchalant towards an attack of such magnitude. And this clip now, no human with a heart, will be as cold as our President was.

Securing the lives and properties of the citizens is a basic function of the government and it was the major point of campaign for this very administration. However, not only has the President failed in this promise, the security situation under the watch of his administration has so deteriorated to the lowest level never imagined.

Unlike before that the battle was against Boko Haram in the Northeast alone. Today, an average Nigerian is not safe anywhere, not at home, not in school, and definitely not on transit. Kidnappings and massacres are the new mottos of Nigeria.

There is not a single day that one will not wake up to horrifying news of clashes, kidnappings and, killings. The least horrifying news is that of hikes in staple prices, depreciation of the Naira, and sector after sector embarking on industrial action.

Despite all the hardships Nigerians are subjected to as a result of the President’s failure, we are the least deserving of his sympathy. Though he swore to protect the lives and property of the citizens, lives have become worthless under his watch.

I call on Mr. President to, at least for once, show sympathy towards these victims. That would have a positive psychological effect on them in assuaging their pains.

Sadiya Madu Gwary
sadiyamadugwary@gmail.com