When they talk about insecurity in my country, many people take it for granted, and I used to be one of them. When people talk about their experiences with insecurity, I don't take it seriously, probably because I have not experienced it and was finding it quite difficult to believe that things like that actually happen. Some people's response to some people's experience with insecurity is always "Pray that Nigeria does not happen to you." I never liked that response, but I feel they just say it to wave the whole thing off rather than take it seriously and make sure that Nigeria really does not have to happen to anyone again.
There are measures we can take as citizens to call our leaders to order, hold them accountable, and make sure they sit up and take us more seriously, but trust me, a lot of us are nonchalant; some just don't care, some feel they have enough money to sort out whatever happens, and some are religious, while some people are tribalistic and don't want to hold leaders accountable because the leader is from their tribe or their religion and this has brought the country down to where it is today. The truth is that whether you are nonchalant, tribalistic, or religious, the damage you are causing this country for not holding leaders accountable is the same. Many think it is those that are nonchalant about what is happening that are the problem, but the truth is everyone who fails to participate and make sure the country runs smoothly for one reason or the other is part of the problem.
In 2024, I needed to travel to Kebbi State for a friend's graduation, but the route to Kebbi State is known for banditry and kidnapping, and the entire country has just adjusted to the whole thing like it was nothing. After people get kidnapped on that road, the lucky ones get released after a huge amount of money is paid for ransom, while the unlucky ones don't get to make it home. At least 8 out of 10 times many don't get to make it home, yet we just wave it off casually, and life just goes on like it was nothing while the families suffer their losses in silence.
"Kachi, you look quite worried; what is the problem?" Royal asked
"My brother, one of my childhood friends, is graduating soon, and all our lives we have talked about being there for each other on our graduation day, but now my problem is that he is schooling in Kebbi State," I responded.
"Brooo, the road to Kebbi state is a nightmare, bro. A lot has happened there, and many things are still happening. I don't advise you to take that road because of a promise you made as kids, oo." Royal said
"Bro, you don't have to travel to Kebbi state just to prove to your friend that you got his back. You can just send him some money and stay safe here." Victor suggested
As much as the suggestion was a good one, it will turn out to be a late-minute disappointment because I just got off the phone with him, and I assured him I was coming. He had a whole party planned out that involved me from start to finish; if I fail to show up, I might ruin his big day completely, leaving him with no other choice than to cancel so many plans. After so much thought, I decided to travel to Kebbi State.
"Bro, just keep us posted, and don't let your phone die, please." Royal pleaded as I stepped out of the house to embark on my journey.
"Kebbi state is far, bro, safe journey, sha." Victor said as we shook hands.
The journey was a smooth one until we got to a place called Kamba Road, and the driver said we should all be on the lookout as we had entered the operation site for bandits and let him know if we saw anything strange so he could increase the speed at which we were moving. Many people thought he just wanted to scare us until we saw for ourselves bandits coming out of the bushes from all angles on motorcycles and chasing our bus. My life flashed before my eyes; the whole bus was filled with panicking, shouting, and screaming, but somehow the driver showed courage and proved that he had experienced it before because he was so calm and tried to get us out of the situation while every other person wallowed in fear.
After giving us a hot chase, they backed off after seeing that our driver was not the type to park out of fear. Until we arrived at the bus station and I got off the bus, I did not make use of my phone again, stopped listening to music, and paid more attention to the road. The journey made me realize how much of a nightmare the insecurity in our country is.
Images were generated using chatgpt