It is truly disheartening and unacceptable for any community, be it in Nigeria or elsewhere, to endure the relentless onslaught of terrorist attacks. The continuous bloodshed is not only a stain on our nation’s image but also a poignant reflection of the inadequacies within our security apparatus. Nigeria, a nation that prides itself on upholding the rule of law, must confront the harsh reality that certain sections of its population, particularly Christians, seem to be denied the protection they deserve.

The lackluster response from affected states, the federal government, and security agencies to these senseless killings is nothing short of alarming. Our fellow citizens, irrespective of age or gender, find themselves at the mercy of violence, reaching the lowest depths of suffering. The pertinent questions linger: When will the federal government muster the courage to put an end to these atrocities? When will security chiefs be held accountable for their apparent inability to ensure the safety of the people? How much more innocent blood must be shed before we collectively awaken to the ongoing carnage? Are the lives of Christians not worth protecting in the eyes of our so-called leaders?

Disturbing reports suggest that security agencies possess prior knowledge of impending attacks, raising troubling suspicions of collusion with terrorists. This is a grave accusation that demands immediate attention. Why are police or soldiers not deployed to areas facing imminent threats? Has the federal government conducted a thorough investigation into these allegations, or is its silence an admission of complicity? The inaction speaks volumes about the current state of our nation.

Governors, seemingly helpless or indifferent, must be reminded that protecting the lives of their citizens is a fundamental duty. Any governor failing in this responsibility should face impeachment. The constitution should empower governors to establish robust security measures for the protection of their citizens. It is evident that the federal government is grappling with impotence, and any government, whether at the state or federal level, failing to safeguard its citizens forfeits its right to govern.

There comes a moment when a nation must declare, “Enough is enough.” Allowing terrorists to run rampant, indiscriminately murdering innocent citizens, is untenable. Citizens have the inherent right to self-protection, yet laws against private weapon ownership persist while Fulani terrorists inexplicably access AK-47s. The source of these weapons demands urgent scrutiny, whether from Nigeria’s porous northern borders or through the negligence of our security organizations. The state and federal governments must swiftly respond to these pressing questions.

In conclusion, we are weary of these senseless killings, and every successive civilian government’s failure to curb the massacres is a collective failure. I challenge President Tinubu to take decisive action against the terrorists. The time for complacency has long passed; the killings must cease.

Sam Udom is a Public Affairs Analyst and writer.