Where were you when terrorists strike?
I’m human, but I won’t shed tears like you because terrorists are walking on our fighting side neither would I paint the government wicked.
However, I share the pains of the families and the captives and I pray for God’s intervention quickly.
The kidnapping of pupils and teachers in Oyo State is one of many abductions bandits and terrorists have carried out across Nigeria.
The horrifying display of a murdered teacher online is also part of a pattern we have seen repeatedly, acts designed not only to kill, but to provoke fear, inflame emotions and weaken our collective resolve.
That is one of the deadliest weapons of terror. The terrorists seek emotional reaction and too often they get it to their advantage.
I understand the pain because I have felt it too. In one of my earlier online write-ups, I urged government to pay ransom quickly to save lives. But after deeper reflection and research, I realised I was speaking more from emotion than strategy.
I nearly joined in sharing the disturbing images of the murdered teacher. Then I stopped and asked: who truly benefits each time those visuals are circulated?
Certainly not the grieving families, who are forced to relive trauma again and again.
Yet some emergency freedom fighters see opportunity in tragedy, especially when outrage drives traffic.
I read about social critic, VeryDarkMan, saying he would be ready to launch fundraising efforts to secure the captives’ release. I also came across a clip of cautioning against that route by Toyin, TNT.
The entire debate reveals something deeper about our national mood.
In Nigeria, at the slightest sign of government failure, everyone suddenly becomes an expert: the uninformed become security analysts, the butcher becomes surgeon, and the noise becomes louder than reason.
Thousands have accused Mr. President of being insensitive for not visiting Oyo State to console the affected families.
But the difficult question remains: will a visit solve the problem or secure the freedom of those held captive?
These are emotional questions. Understandably so.
But terrorism is not defeated by outrage alone. History teaches patience and strategy.
The terrorist attacks on World Trade Centre, NY on September 11, 2001 took the United States nearly ten years to locate and kill the main suspect, Osama Bin Laden, precisely on May 2, 2011.
Even then, America’s response extended far beyond revenge. It involved intelligence gathering, military operations, diplomacy and sustained pressure and affiliated networks.
No fewer than 2,977 people were killed during the September 11 attacks across four sites, including the Pentagon and the crash site in Shanksville, Pennsylvania.
Thousands more were injured. Many first responders later developed serious illnesses linked to dust and debris.
It remains one of the deadliest terrorist attacks in modern history.
Today, Nigeria has become one of Africa’s major theatres of terrorism. But there is increasing collaboration with the United States and other partners in confronting insurgency.
I remember listening to one of my favourite country singers, Alan Jackson after 9/11. His song did not preach hatred.
Let me quote a few of his lyrics in his song , “Where were you when the world stopped turning”.
Jackson asked “Where were you when the world stopped turning”?
“Were you in the yard with your wife and children
Or working on some stage in L.A.?
Did you stand there in shock at the sight of that black smoke rising’ against that blue sky?
Did you shout out in anger, in fear for your neighbour Or did you just sit down and cry?”
He notes that he does not know the
the difference between Iraq and Iran where terrorists have come but added that
he knows Jesus and talks to God.
Jackson, like many Americans might have different views about the government of George Bush Junior at the time, they jettisoned politics for love and unity.
May I ask you, “where are you when terrorists are disturbing our peace in this country,”?
Are you sympathizing or politicizing it because you hate your president and his government?
The situation in Nigeria today goes beyond politics but a call for reflection. It should remind people about faith, compassion and the value of human connection even in moments of grief.
That, for me, is where Nigeria must stand now. This is not the time to deepen hatred.
Not the time to weaponise politics.
Not the time to divide ourselves by tribe, religion or ideology.
This is the time to unite;to pray; to strengthen our institutions; to support our security agencies while demanding results with wisdom.
And above all, to remain human without allowing terror to dictate our emotions or destroy our unity.
Nigerians will need courage; Nigerians will need patience and love and perhaps now more than ever, we must remember that even in our darkest hours, unity remains stronger than fear.
It is not about emotion or shedding tears, it is about supporting your government to tackle the challenges.
Ire ooo.