I am your friend, Dr. Charles Apoki. There is something I have observed that is very troubling, particularly with the recent massacre of a Christian community in the Democratic Republic of Congo by Islamic militants. Entire villages were wiped out. This, coupled with the recent motion in the United States Congress regarding the killings of Christians in Nigeria, should be a cause for great concern. Christians are being driven from their ancestral lands, their communities are being taken over, and their homes are being burned. Radical Fulani herdsmen and Islamic militants are seizing these territories.
Remember that a former governor once stated that these terrorists and bandits who are wreaking havoc in Nigeria are not Nigerians. His son recently made a threatening statement, though he later deleted the video. This same family has made it clear that anything done against a Fulani will not be forgiven and is considered a debt to be repaid.
Now, have you noticed that whenever kidnappers from Fulani extraction are arrested, they look tattered and hungry? It is hard to believe that these same people are demanding hundreds of millions in ransom. According to the National Bureau of Statistics, a staggering amount has been paid in ransom in Nigeria. The question is, who is truly benefiting from this crisis?
We have always had herdsmen in this country, but these new, radicalized elements are different. The herdsmen who have lived peacefully in Nigeria for generations are not the ones behind these crimes. The real issue lies in the funding and organization behind these criminals. Who is supplying them with weapons? Who is funding their operations?
Remember the young man arrested in Ondo State who admitted that he and others were trained specifically to kidnap people and collect ransom for a jihad. This is not a baseless claim. Many years ago, a large shipment of arms from Iran was intercepted in Nigeria, intended for violent purposes. More recently, the Delta State police arrested a man known as “Big Daddy” with three AK-47 rifles and over 3,500 rounds of ammunition. The question remains: who is arming these criminals?
Historically, Fulani communities have peacefully coexisted with others in Nigeria. In places like Aba and Buruku market, Fulani settlers have lived for generations without conflict. The problem today is the infiltration of non-indigenous, radical elements who are turning our country into a battleground.
The evidence suggests that ransom payments are being used to further arm these groups and prepare for something bigger—a jihad. Even former top military personnel have stated that there is alleged collaboration between security agencies and these terrorists. Could it be that our nation is being surrounded by jihadists, supported by individuals in high positions of power?
Radical Islam does not differentiate between Muslims and Christians. Anyone who does not follow their extreme ideology is a target. We are sitting on a keg of gunpowder while engaging in meaningless distractions on social media. If this issue is not properly investigated and dealt with immediately, we will face a calamity we cannot manage. Those who have ears, let them hear. Those who love this country, let them act.
For those who think they are benefiting from this evil, remember: when the rain falls, it does not fall on just one man’s house. If we are not careful, Nigeria could become like Somalia. Our nation is already fragile and dangerously heated. It is time to act before it is too late.
I remain Dr. Charles Apoki.
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God bless you.
