Starvation: Nigeria's Unchanged War Strategy
During the years of the civil war between Nigeria and Biafra (1967-1970), the then Nigerian government under the military dictatorship of General Yakubu Gowon, in its desperation to successfully win the almost lost war, reportedly resorted to the criminal application of food blockade.
There was starvation policy adopted against Biafran civilians with worst effects on the children, as the war progressed. It was a strategy floated, to weaken and gruesomely kill Biafrans. Unfortunately for them however, this heinous policy failed to dampen the will of the people as Biafrans yet live even till date. They could not be subdued. Nigeria, as a country, most disappointedly, has not yet learnt anything from that historical experience.
In the past fifty four (54) years, this strategy has been the in-thing. It has persisted as a policy against the Biafran people. All land borders, leading to the Southern part from the Northern region, are presently closed, bringing enormous hardship upon the people. Businesses are being stiffled to ensure the triggering off of hyper-inflation and hunger across the land.
Few days ago, Nnamdi Kanu's lead counsel, Barrister Ifeanyi Ejiofor, raised an alarm concerning the starvation of his client (Nnamdi Kanu), the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), currently in detention. He is equally being tortured by the officials of the Department of State Services (DSS), whose custody, he has been. The report had it that the IPOB leader was being denied food and water for a period of three good days. And to worsen the situation, routine medical attention was equally denied him, all being aimed at forcing him into submission. This is taking place against a subsisting court order which earlier instructed the DSS not to maltreat him in anyway.
This is barbaric and is capable of igniting a total breakdown of law and order. It is therefore necessary that all those concerned, be urgently cautioned against this brazen act of lawlessness. "A stitch in time, saves nine".
Godswill Leeleebari
Reporting for Family Writers Press International
No comments
Post a Comment