Is This A Protest Or Terrorism?, by Zaharaddeen Muhammad Azare

Globally, protests are used as instrument of compelling government to act in accordance with the demands of citizenry. These protests are done with the ultimate aim of  expressing areas of disagreement or support most often against governments’ actions or inactions and placards containing the demands of the protests are hold to convey the message and purpose of the protests in a peaceful manner.

Contrary to this, the Nigerians’ so-called protests are often politically motivated rallies aimed at jeopardizing the lives and properties of some segments of various categories of individuals or groups.

Day before yesterday, I heard the shouts of young men and women criticizing government officials, carrying another country’s flags, woods, cutlasses and different kinds of weapons while disrespecting security agents recruited and paid to secure their lives mixed with stealing and destroying properties of private individuals, government officials and public properties. I asked myself, is this a protest or terrorism?

I personally observed that many youth that participate in the ongoing protest in Nigeria lack knowledge of why the protest is carried out and how it should be done. For this government needs to make effort to device means of educating citizens on how to exercise their civic rights.

Among the most saddening things that happen during the protest is “The rise of Russia’s Flag” which makes the sovereignty of Nigeria less influential and loose respect. To solve these problems, the education should be for everyone.

Zaharaddeen Muhammad Azare wrote from Kasuwar Kaji, Azare, Bauchi state and could be received through zahmuhaza@gmail.com