0
0
‘Na all of us suffer. But dem suffer pass us.’ Pardon my pidgin English; but it captures the lived reality of Nigerians in this year 2021 Ramadan which is about to leave us. We pray it leaves us in peace. It is torturous. I don’t think there is any concerned Nigerian—with scintilla of sympathy— who does not suffer some trauma. Each time I saw the video of the Kaduna kidnapped students, I feel like committing suicide if not that it is haram (unlawful) in Islam.
Forget about their religious or ethnic identities. It is eerie and callous if what electrifies your sympathy is when victims of such horrendous act are adherents of your religion or from your family. These are human beings; they deserve our sympathy unconditionally.
Do you know what? These students spent 55 days (roughly two months) in captivity under the lordship and ‘care’ of bandits. Sadly, abducted on Nigeria’s territory by Nigerians and kept for almost two months within Nigeria’s territory. There is definitely no question about territorial integrity. The integrity is lost; and not found.
For those of us who do not understand the concept of ungoverned space, or our understanding is limited to what we read and learnt from books, now I think we have better and clearer understanding. The reality show of Afaka abducted students has shed (more than) more light on our understanding. We earnestly pray to Allah to free them in their multitudes. Though Afaka’s and Greenfield’s gained media attention and coverage; there are many others that are not known to the public.
Many thoughts run through my head: would this abductees have time or even think of taking their bath, brushing their teeth, or combing their hair? Who would they fear more in that state of theirs? God or bandits? Would their hopes of being freed be hinged on God, on their families and friends, or on government? If their hopes are on government, which government? Is it that of Kaduna or that of the Federal Republic of Nigeria?
I asked my self, would the Muslims among the abductees know that Ramadan crescent was sighted 25 days ago or so? Would they even know they have spent more than twenty days in Ramadan while in captivity? This is only if the bandits were generous enough to tell them. So, if they were told, would they fast? I doubt fasting would be obligatory for them in that condition. Though some of them may muster strength to fast. Do I even know what I am talking about? Muster strenght!? What if the bandits chose to feed them only once in a day, and so only in the afternoon? Thus, fasting is apparently impossible, uncontemplated, and uncalled for. “Allah does not place a burden on a soul greater than it can bear” (Q2:286).
There condition is worse than being sold into slavery for they do not know if they will be freed or fried or fired. Slaves do move around, run errands, work to earn a living, and in fact under some circumstances, slaves are allowed to negotiate their emancipation. These kidnapped students do not have such freedom.
Why I am so concerned? It is because I am a father, a teacher and a Nigerian. My ecstasy knew no bound when I learnt of their release. Only a blood sucking atavistic sadist, who ordinarily should not belong to the human specie, would feel less concerned and still sing the praises of government in the face of these harrowingly devastating calamities.
No wonder parents of the released Afaka abductees did not see any need to thank their governor or our president for the release of their children. In a statement released by the Chairman of the parents of the 27 abducted students of Federal College of Forestry Mechanization, many names are mentioned for appreciation and thanks. The names of their little governor and our old president are unfortunately missing. This could be that they either believe what we have in Nigeria is a failed government, a failing government, or complete absence of government in terms of securing lives and property of Nigerians. So they see no need to thank the government. But do you blame them for this? Their experience justifies their stance.
In my last week article, I averred that this year Ramadan is probably the worst in Nigeria. After making reference to the attacks on Geidam, I wrote: “in Ramadan of this year, staples in Nigeria are inordinately and prohibitively expensive. Fruits which were consumed abundantly with relish are now carefully and economically eaten at sunset…they are too expensive.” It is true that we all suffer(ed), but the Afaka students, and others in kidnappers’ dens across the country, suffered more. Therefore, it is duty bound on every Nigerian to pray to Allah and call on Him since our cries continue to fall on deaf hears. This is much more expected of the Muslims in these last ten days of Ramadan.
O Allah! Guide these bandits to the right paths so that they can realise what they are doing is wrong and inhumane. Touch their hearts so that the Green Field students, and all those in captivity, can also be released. We admit our sins that we have wronged our souls for living under a government who cannot protect us. This is our major sin and our only offence, for which kidnappers and bandits pounce on our students and beloved ones.
O Allah of mercy! Show us mercy. There are definitely hypocrites between those of us that whine and those who maintain that ‘all is well’. For it is clear to every sane person at home and abroad that all is not well. And O Allah, you know, in Your perfect knowledge, that all is not well. We submit ourselves to you in humility. We are nothing but you are Our Creator. Even if our evil deeds seem to deny You as Creator, but deep inside us we still acknowledge You as the Sole Creator. Over look our evils, sins, wrongs, injustices and have mercy on us. “Our Lord! We have wronged ourselves. If you forgive us not, and bestow not upon us Your Mercy, we shall certainly be of the losers” (Q7:23). The Prophet’s supplication, specifically for the last ten days of Ramadan, cannot be more relevant than now: “O Allah, You are Forgiving and love forgiveness, so forgive us”.
Abdulkadir Salaudeen
salahuddeenabdulkadir@gmail.com
