By Fr Pat Amobi Chukwuma
During my primary school days at Fatima Boys’ Primary School, Jos, we used to play a crafty game during recreation. Our teacher arranged us in twos in a circle, with one pupil standing behind the other. Then, he would shout, “There is fire on the mountain! Run! Run!! Run!!!” Those behind would run round the circle as many times as possible until the teacher gives a signal to stop.
Then, each pupil would rush behind his partner. The last person to do so is automatically out with his partner. It is continued through the process of elimination. The last remaining partner carries the trophy.
Two years ago, a fire incident occurred around our rectory in the afternoon. I was taking my siesta and enjoying heavenly dream after a sumptuous lunch. Suddenly, I was woken up by the shout of “Fire! Fire!! Fire!!!” One of the voices was on top of others shouting, “Father, come out! Fire is engulfing your house!” I jumped up out of the bed and peeped through the window.
The inferno was already at my window. I ran out half naked and jumped down from the balcony through emergency exit, because the stair-case was already enveloped with thick smoke. Please, when you are installing protectors in your house, try to create an emergency exit. In many incidents of fire outbreak in occupied houses, many occupants have been burnt to death due to lack of exit.
Immediately I landed outside, I thanked God and my whistle blowers for saving me from the wicked afternoon inferno which emanated from the surrounding bush around our rectory. The harmattan wind worsened the velocity of the fire.
With the aid of the sympathizers, school teachers, pupils and passersby, we were able to contain the fire outbreak. If I were burnt to ashes, it means that there will be no burial ceremony for me. I will rise from the ashes on the Resurrection Day.
Beware of fire! The first world was destroyed with flood which engulfed every living being on earth except Noah, his family and selected living species. I heard that this present world will be destroyed with unimaginable fire when the time comes. I pray it will not happen during my own time.
By that time I will be watching the global fire from heaven where I would be sitting at the left hand of God the Father, since Jesus has occupied his right hand. Do not play with fire. Unfortunately, the leaders of our Nation known as the Giant of Africa have been playing with fire for so many years.
This current fire was ignited over 20 years ago by the dreaded Boko Haram terrorists, bloody Fulani herdsmen, bandits and other terrorist groups who have killed hundreds of innocent Nigerians.
Most of the victims are from the North East, North West and Middle Belt. Majority of the victims were Christians. Some Moslems were not spared. They were sacked and massacred in their houses and villages. Those who survived the genocide live now in IDP camps. Many children have been killed or rendered orphans. Many women have lost their husbands in the genocide. Also, a lot of women have been buried in mass graves.
The late President Buhari promised during his electoral campaign to defeat terrorism in six months, if elected President. He served as president for eight years without good result. Instead, terrorism worsened. His successor, the incumbent President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, promised to continue where Buhari stopped. He vowed to renew the hope that was lost during President Muhammadu Buhari’s tenure.
Unfortunately, insecurity worsens day by day. Kidnapping becomes a lucrative business nationwide. The late General Sani Abacha once said that the government knows about any act of terrorism that lasts for more than six months. Ours have lasted for many years. Thousands of innocent Nigerians have been sent to their untimely graves. The fear of the unknown is what worries every Dick and Harry nationwide. Nigerians are sleeping daily with two eyes and mouth open. When will the Messiah come?
The expected Messiah seems to be on the way. My people say that an elder does not stay at home while an expectant mother-goat gives birth tittered on a rope. Our leaders at the National and State levels have abandoned the onerous task of safeguarding the lives and the properties of the citizens.
We are left like sheep without a shepherd. Thus, we are left at the mercy of angry leopards in human skins .Instead of safeguarding the lives of the citizens, the president, governors, lawmakers and other politicians are busy maneuvering towards 2027 General Elections. Some governors abandon governance and defect to the ruling party for selfish reasons. They surround themselves with armoured vehicles, soldiers and police while their subjects are left to their fate.
America rules the world. President Donald Trump seems to come to our rescue. His intelligent reporters have told him that there is Christian Genocide in Nigeria. Hence, he classifies Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern. In his own words, “Christianity is facing an existential threat in Nigeria. Thousands of Christians are being killed. Radical Islamists are responsible for this mass slaughter.
I am hereby making Nigeria COUNTRY OF PARTICULAR CONCERN” — But that is the least of it. When Christians or any such group is slaughtered like is happening in Nigeria (3,100 versus 4476 worldwide) something must be done! I am asking Congressman Riley Moore together with Chairman Tom Cole and the House Appropriations Committee, to immediately look into this matter, and report back to me.
The United States cannot stand by while such atrocities are happening in Nigeria, and numerous other countries. We stand ready, willing, and able to save our Great Christian population around the World”(Donald Trump, President of United States of Africa).
Since President Trump issued the above threat, fire has broken from the mountain. There is panic here and there. Everyone is running, thinking and acting helter-skelter. The sponsors of terrorism are now hiding their heads. Some have disguised themselves and fled the country. Some are hiding in bunkers. The terrorists, bandits and herdsmen are also panicking. There is also palpable panic in Aso Rock and its environs.
The fear of Trump is the order of the day. Whenever he says something, it must not be taken for granted. He took the mighty Iran by surprise and bombed their nuclear facilities overnight. Their nuclear engineers were located and taken out from this world. Nigeria does not even manufacture a bullet. The hunger that kills a rich man, buries a poor man alive.
The terminology “Country of Particular Concern” is a designation given to a nation engaged in severe violations of religious freedom. All eyes are now on Nigeria. There is genocide all over the country.
Those saying that not only Christians are targeted implicitly agree that there is genocide in Nigeria. When the American fire breaks out, there will be no hiding place for the terrorists and their sponsors. Saddam Hussein of Iraq during Operation Desert Storm fled, disguised himself in an underground hole.
The American forces traced him and caught him. Likewise, the father of terrorism Osama bin Laden hid himself for few years. At last the American Special Force got him and killed him. If Trump carries out his threat, Nigeria will not be the same again. The cloud is thickening. America casts her bombs with precision. I wish the collateral damages will be minimized. The blood of slain innocent Nigerians are crying for vengeance from their untimely graves.
Trump can also impose economic sanctions over Nigeria. If this is done, this dying nation will draw her last breath. The sponsors of the genocide can be traced and isolated. Ban on International Monetary Fund (IMF), World Bank and others are possible concerns.
There was a young teacher during my teaching apostolate as a seminarian who always threatened his students in these words: “You think I am joking?” This gradually became his nickname. President Trump is not joking. Nigerian leaders must do the needful before the hammer stricks.
