The Murder Of Unity Ekpevbughe Adeda And The Growing Culture Of Impunity And Lawlessness In Nigeria, by Hajia Hadiza Mohammed

One of the most disturbing thing in Nigeria of today apart from widespread poverty and insecurity is the growing culture of impunity and lawlessness in the land. From the security agencies to politicians to student cult clashes it is the same tale of violence and lawlessness. When the different student rival cults group fight, experts attribute it to what is happening in the larger society and they are right. Today, violence, hooliganism and lawlessness pervade every strata of the Nigeria society. But is more pronounced among the politicians and those in authority.

Thursday, 24^th September will remain a dark day in the Delta State civil service records. It was a day that a deputy director in the state Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education was violently assaulted by thugs allegedly on the orders of a state commissioner during an altercation in the office. The victim was Unity Ekpevbughe Adeda in the office of Commissioner for Secondary Education, Dr. Kingsley Ashibuogwu. Media reports had it that Mr. Unity Adeda was prevented from driving out of the Prof. Chike Edozien State Secretariat in Asaba, where their office is located after he had a heated argument with the commissioner and thereafter some thugs were invited to beat him up. The director was then tied and beaten mercilessly. He was subsequently taken to the hospital where he died the next day from injuries inflicted on him the thugs.

The assault and the death of Mr. Unity Ekpevbughe have generated outrage and tension in Delta State and beyond. Many have condemned the attack as barbaric and unacceptable and are demanding justice. The state civil servants and members of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) have shut down the state secretariat in Asaba and declared an indefinite dispute and strike action, demanding justice, transparent and independent investigation of the case, and improved workplace safety for civil servants in the state. According to the Delta State Police PRO, Mr. Bright Edafe, the police have on the orders of the State Commissioner of Police directed the Homicide Section of the Force CID to launch an investigation into the case. The state Commissioner for Secondary Education, Dr. Kingsley Ashibuogwu, who denied involvement in the case has been arrested together with one Lucky Adoh while the hunt for the other suspects still at large continues. Meanwhile, the Delta State government has established an independent panel of inquiry alongside the police investigation. The state government promised transparency as demanded by the state civil servants, stating that no one found culpable in the case will be spared.

The murder of Citizen Unity Ekpevbughe shows the level of bestiality that the nation has descended where impunity reigns and life meaningless. Never in the history of Nigeria have we had this kind of violence and lawlessness. Not even in the military era. It is not only the insurgents, the bandits or the kidnappers that use violence. Violence has become a tool of governance under Tinubu especially in the APC-controlled states and among the party’s leaders. Convoys of members of the opposition have been attacked on many occasions by thugs working for the APC. On many occasions lawful gathering of members of the opposition have been dispersed security agents on the “orders from above”. The Edo State APC chairman was caught camera threatening to shoot anyone that will stop the state governor Monday Okpebolo from delivering his target 2.5 million votes to Tinubu…

When you travel by road from state to state in Nigeria you will see some sample of the culture of impunity and and lawlessness. You will see different types of groups from police, customs, narcotics agent etc harassing, threatening and extorting travelers that are already fagged out by the tedium of traveling a long distance on our dilapidated roads. You will also see different thugs called state revenue agents with different weapons ranging from guns, nails, clubs and brickbats intimidating frustrated road users in the name of collecting state revenue that may never enter the state treasure but in private pockets.

Our governors and state agents have shown clear lack of tact, ingenuity and creativity in employment and civil engagement. Instead of engaging experts, consultants or technology in the revenue collection, they will engage touts and thugs, arm them and put them on the road in the name of collecting revenue for the state. Some of these touts were the ones they used to rig themselves to power. And so it is usually during electioneering campaigns. Our politicians are never bothered about getting professionals to draw up their programs. Their interest is centered on getting thugs that will grab, snatch and run away with the ballot boxes. And to them one of the ways of rewarding these touts after the election is to make revenue collection agents. These touts would put the arms and ammunition in their custody to others uses thereafter. And that is the reason for the alarming increase in kidnapping and banditry in the country.

All the violence and lawlessness prevalent in the country now is an indication of failure of governance. The government of Bola Ahmed Tinubu has failed woefully to cater for the interest of the nation. He has failed in the area of security and his obsession to remain in power is heating up the polity as the fear of defeat looms large before him. The APC governors are under pressure to deliver him because he has given them targets. And consequently the thugs and the area boys have been put on overdrive to do whatever they are ordered to do.

Nigeria, you will not keep watching as your country descend into a lawless state. If we must have our safety and freedom, we must effect a change. We must make a statement with our votes. We must vote and courageously insist that our votes count and we will reclaim our country from the thugs and anarchists that have held us hostage and rebuild the nation of our dream. Long live Nigeria!

Hajia Hadiza Mohammed
hajiahadizamohammed@gmail.com
An actress, social activist, politician
London, UK.