Silence is an Offence -By Ifeanyi John Nwokeabia

The affairs of humans are so heart wrenching, and that is why people go home to rest after a day’s work. During festive seasons, have you wondered why people take so much risks returning to their respective homes? Remember, that those periods are hotter than fire itself in terms of the gridlocks and other road challenges people go through to come back home. But people will still find ways to come back home. This is to show you that home is a place of rest.

Now, how will you feel when the home you returned to is infested with ants? Will you say that because it is your home, that you must sleep in it? It is only a tree that will here of its death and stay and do nothing.

In the recent times, Anambra State, our home is infested with ants. These ants have denied good citizens of the state the opportunity to sleep with their two eyes closed. The movement of people on streets are accompanied with the fear of who is next in line at the tollgate of death.

As a bonafide citizen of this State, who has seen two centuries and watched different leaders come and gone, I know that insecurity is not a new thing, but the present case is more horrible than the ones ever witnessed.

In the 2000s, we had the cases of of Derico Nwamama and other armed robbers. Those hoodlums wrote letters before attacking their victims. They targeted the richs who they can get money from, and even when travellers are attacked, they robbed them of their wares or luggage. This goes on to say that those are criminals looking for money. Their objective is to get money. Derico Nwamama terrorised the east to the extent that even when a neighbour took arms to rob, Derico’s name was mentioned. That was how terrible it was in those days.

Those armed robbers with their heavy amulets and charms were dealt with by the Bakassi Boys. Those Bakassi Boys became the render of the last resort as all efforts were thwarted. At least, Anambra State experienced a peaceful co-existence ever after.
But today, the peace, we once boasted of, is no more with us. Everyday comes with one temple run or the other. People now die like flies. Government properties housing important documents of the citizens are burnt down on daily basis. Death is wavering on the heads of all the citizens. A brother or sister is shot dead today, tomorrow is the turn of another. Who is next on the line is what we can’t say because we don’t know.

Unlike the armed robbers of old, the aim of these ones are unknown. We can’t call them robbers because most victims are left without any of their properties taken away from them. The cure of a sickness becomes easy when the sickness is identified. But in this case, I am confused like every citizen.

Growing up, we were told that the anger of a brother doesn’t reach the bone marrow. And as such, we were trained never to use weapons on our brothers. We were told not to spill the blood of our brothers. I am surprised to see the recent happenings – brothers murdering brothers. Or have we stopped being brothers? What went wrong in our brotherhood?
I believe that there’s nothing impossible, of only we can come together as a bunch of broom to build a formidable Anambra as brothers. Instead of destroying what we have and ourselves, let’s come in unison and build the Anambra that our children will be proud of.

Dearest Governor, Prof Chukwuma Charles Soludo, I acknowledge your positive words and actions towards building a positive peaceful Anambra, but I believe that to whom much is given, much is expected. We trust your capacity to raise our State to the enviable height of all. We voted you believing that you will bring lasting SOLUTION to these nightmares of us. Please, prove to is that you are the right man for the job.

Call this, Sir, a cry for help by a patriot who believe in ‘May Anambra Succeed’ agenda. To achieve your towering agenda of bringing investors into Anambra, we need peace and security of lives and properties.

To all Anambrarians, I wish to remind you(us) that ‘Silence is an Offence.’ It has not happen to you or your family member is not a reason to keep quiet. Don’t forget, no one leaves here alive. Death, we must all die someday. But now that we still have life left in us, it is our duty to condemn the works of the evil ones who are fighting to destroy the peace of our beautiful home.

Let’s join hands and fix our state. He whose house is on fire, does not go about chasing after rats. If this state becomes good, it is good for all of us.
Finally, silence is not an option, it is an offence. If you see something, say something for the good of our home. Anambra State is Spoilt, Let’s Mend it. It is our duty to get it working again.

Nwokeabia, Ifeanyi John is a concerned citizen of Anambra State. His wish is to see the state thrive in all fronts.