A rising number of Nigerians are becoming fugitives in their motherland and are having hard times to live peacefully as citizens in their country where a recognised government who ought to be providing protection for its citizenry would rather hunt or allow them suffer precariously for speaking up against their invaders instead of tackling the menace by their perpetrators.
Such is the plight of Benedict Agbator Iribhogbe, and some indigenes of Eguare community of Ekpoma in Esan West Local Government Area of Edo State. Benedict Iribhogbe and some of his native compatriots who dared to voice their resentment against the orgy of killing by marauding Fulani herdsmen have suddenly become victims of incessant attacks and are now on the run for their dear lives which are hanging in danger.
It has become apparent that the unending killing of innocent Nigerians by Fulani herdsmen is exacerbated by a seemingly state conspiracy orchestrated by the Department of State Security (DSS), through arbitrary arrest and incarceration of critics of the Federal Government over its failure to rein in the killer- herdsmen ravaging communities across the length and breadth of the country.
Clergymen, human rights activists and leaders of pan- cultural organizations have become potential targets for assassination by Fulani killer – herdsmen or extra- judicial killing by agents of the state.
On January 25, 2017, popular Nigerian tele- evangelist, Apostle Johnson Suleiman was hounded by operatives of the Department of State Security (DSS) during a missionary trip to Ado Ekiti in Ekiti state, after he had urged Nigerians to defend themselves against the unending onslaught by Islamic Jihadists masquerading as Fulani herdsmen.
Speaking in one of his Christian telecast on Sunday, January 15, 2017, the fiery preacher declared: “These are no ordinary times, our nation Nigeria is sitting on a precipice. There are deliberate attempts to exterminate Christianity in Nigeria by Jihadists/ Fulani herdsmen, and this evil is goaded by Government’s inability to expose the killers and bring them to justice. It is therefore pertinent on Nigerians to defend themselves.”
Apostle Suleiman’s fiery pontification came on the heels of a bloody attack on the predominantly Christian community of Eguare – Ekpoma in Edo state, on the night of January 6, 2017.
The attack apparently carried out by Fulani herdsmen, left three people dead while several others were brutally wounded. Eguare – Ekpoma, the once sleepy agrarian community was rattled to its knees; there was wailing and gnashing of teeth in many homes.
Benedict Iribhogbe, an indigene of Eguare- Ekpoma but resident in Lagos, led a mass protest by youths in the community the following morning.
The protesters called for a strong and immediate action by both the state and Federal Government over the incessant killings of Christians and ravaging of communities by armed Fulani herdsmen. They demanded that the perpetrators of the dastardly act be brought to justice. Benedict, as the leader of the protesters, lampooned the government and derided the security agencies for their inability to halt the killings. The protest was broadcast on some local television stations in Edo and neighbouring Kogi states.
This marked the beginning of the travails of Benedict Iribhogbe and dozens of others. By speaking out against the atrocities perpetrated against their people by rampaging Fulani herdsmen, Benedict Iribhogbe and his compatriots seemed to have pitched their lives on the cradle of danger. From that moment the protest was aired on local television, he became a potential target, waiting to be eliminated just like others before and possibly after him.
The band of killer-herdsmen who are networked like a cult are everywhere lurking around community farms and cities, intermittently, ravaging towns and communities, killing and maiming innocent Nigerians, as well as their targets.
On March 4, 2017, the bloodthirsty visitors struck again at Eguare – Ekpoma, but this time, they had Benedict Iribhogbe as their prime target. His family home was invaded by armed men on this fateful night. It was clear the Invaders were the same killer-herdsmen that attacked the community on January 6, 2017. The community was gripped with fears as they cut through the gate to his compound, shouting ‘Allahu Akbar’.
In what looked like a narrow escape for the now embattled Benedict Iribhogbe, it was obvious he was not within the reach of his assailants. It was however not clear where he took refuge on that occasion, though he was seen around his vicinity during the day to the night of the attack. His invaders eventually left furious and vowed to return with more vengeance.
Since that attack, Benedict has not been seen anywhere around in Ekpoma. It is apparent that he has become a target for elimination. None of his relatives has visited their family house, and other youth leaders who joined the protest has fled the community.
Not long after, reports made the round in Ekpoma that Benedict Iribhogbe was attacked again at his resident in Lagos. It was feared and rumoured by many that he was dead at first report. The NIGERIAN OBSERVER however gathered that on May 23, 2017, at about 8.00pm, his home in Lagos was invaded by armed men. Benedict was quick to notice their presence after a gunshot in the precinct of the house. He again escaped but his car was noticeably damaged.
The police after visiting the crime scene, became prejudiced by fear of the danger lurking in the dark. This is understood as hundreds of men and women in uniform have been massacred across Nigeria.
Some neighbours said the attackers were armed bandits, but Benedict thinks differently. He believes the attackers are the same killer- herdsmen trailing him.
Life suddenly has become a torment for Benedict; a once career Nigerian youth who has now joined the army of growing fugitives in the country. No thanks to a failed state which cannot protect its citizens from the claws and jaws of killer-herdsmen.
Some elders in his native Eguare -Ekpoma and neighbours in the Ajah area of Lagos where Benedict has a rented apartment, have bemoaned the fate that had befallen him.
They said they too are living in fears as the hunt for Benedict and the brutal killing of his compatriots remain a living nightmare.