Before We Are Nigerians, We Are Human Beings
Please stop using people’s pain to make xenophobic jokes or comments.
I live in Oyo State, the same state where bandits kidnapped 45 students, 6 teachers, and the school principal. The youngest child that was taken is only 2 years old, while the oldest is 16. A man was beheaded, and the bandits recorded it and sent the video to his family.
This happened in Ogbomoso. I live in Ibadan, and my sister teaches in a rural school, so this situation hits very close to home. Teachers in Ogbomoso have been protesting and trying their best. Teachers in Ibadan have also been pushing for the NUT (Nigerian Union of Teachers) to temporarily shut down schools in Oyo State because of safety concerns, but many have been told they cannot leave work.
I recently saw comments under a video about the attack from people in a certain country, (I won't say the name of the country but you can guess), and some of them seemed happy about what happened. I know some people dislike Nigerians, but please, I am begging you, do not turn innocent people’s suffering into something to laugh at or use for xenophobic remarks. Before we are Black or African, we are human beings first. That video of the woman carrying her baby on her back that the bandits recorded and sent to her family. Yh her husband is begging the bandits to take him instead and release his wife and child.
For non-Nigerians reading this, please stop spreading misinformation that Nigerians are not speaking up. Many people have been speaking out. Teachers in Ibadan have been speaking. People are making videos, raising awareness, and discussing this every day, Many people are making videos speaking English speaking Yoruba, people are trying to let everyone know and let the government know. If you do not understand Yoruba, please do not assume nobody is talking about it. I have also seen people say Nigerians only care about issues pertaining to another country. Different conversations can happen at the same time. People are capable of caring about more than one tragedy.
The people around me are angry. Oyo State people are angry. I am angry too. We are all angry. I genuinely wish we could shut everything down and protest, but many of us are struggling to survive. I earn ₦80,000 a month, which is about $58 or £44. If I miss work for a few days, I could lose my job. If teachers in Oyo State refuse to go to school in protest, many of them could lose their livelihoods too.
I also heard through word of mouth that bandits may be threatening to attack Iseyin next. I do not know how true that is, but please stay alert. If you live in Ondo, Ekiti, Ogun, or Lagos, report suspicious individuals or activities to Amotekun. You can search online for “Amotekun number” followed by your state name.
If possible, work with your landlord associations and local communities to organise neighbourhood vigilance. In my area, we are fortunate to have many OPC members who have been patrolling at night.
Please, if you are not Nigerian, even something as simple as reposting the news or sharing information can help more people become aware of what is happening. Nigerian politicians are only focused on the next election and many of them do not seem to care about the lives of ordinary Nigerians. They only react when international attention begins to embarrass them. Please remember the human beings involved in this tragedy.
God will protect us all.