The Numan Carnage

The Numan Carnage: Matters Arising

Babayola Muhammadu Toungo

The gale of ethno-religious violence sweeping through the country since the re-emergence of Obasanjo on the Nigerian political scene in 1999 has been rather chilling. Chilling in the sense that there will either be no one left standing at the end of this cyclone or rather there won’t be a single Hausa, Fulani or Muslim man left standing at the rate things are going. From my reading of the situation, these ethnic stocks or those that profess the Islamic religion appear to be fair game for extermination. But the irony in this tragic drama is the demonisation of the victims by the perpetrators of the violence with the active connivance of the press.

The latest in this unending macabre dance, which may be termed “turn by turn” (apologies to Bode George), took place in Numan, a serene town lying on the Banks of the Benue River in Adamawa State . On the 8^th of June 2003 , a lady evangelist was killed in circumstances yet to be unravelled. It was alleged that a water hawker, who was said to be a Hausa man was arrested for the murder. This gave a chance to ethnic irredentist and religious bigots to unleash a bedlam never seen in the town. But if the truth be told, these agents of darkness have been spoiling for a fight for some time and the murder was a perfect ruse to commit their dastardly act. The ethnic identity of the alleged murderer is still a subject of controversy but stereotypes have to be maintained to afford those thirsty for blood satiate their lust. The demons that possess these vagrants parading as leaders have to be satiated with human blood. Ever wonder why cultism is prevalent in our tertiary institutions? The muscle flexing started during the campaigns for the 2003 general elections. When the ANPP gubernatorial candidate, Adamu Modibbo and his campaign train berthed at Numan and decided to pay a courtesy call on the now deposed Hama Bachama, they only managed to escape by the thin skin of their teeth from death squads armed with all manner of weapons.

Now a year to the day of last year’s mayhem, a far worse and much more gruesome genocide took place in Numan, Gyawana and Lamurde. The stories I heard when I visited Numan were enough to freeze one’s blood. Instances abound by eyewitnesses where male babies were smashed on hard surfaces or forcefully and brutally torn into pieces. In Gyawana, Muslim faithfuls numbering about twenty seven who had gone to the mosque for their early morning prayer were massacred; nomadic Fulani who had their encampment around the area were also not spared. Yet people that have it in them to commit such atrocities are to be protected and pampered rather than be prosecuted. Even Genghis Khan and his barbarians were not this barbaric. It makes you think of Hitler’s Dr. Mengeles a saint.

The purported cause of this latest orgy was the height of the minaret of the Numan central mosque undergoing re-construction. This mosque was burnt down during last year’s havoc. The justification is that the minaret is far taller than the height of the palace walls. But by all accounts, the destroyed mosque and its minaret have been in existence at that same spot for upwards of fifty years and no previous Hama Bachama complained of being spied on from the pinnacle of the minaret. For one, no one climbs a minaret for any religious activity and it is just a symbol of a mosque wherever you find one; for another, I know for a fact that part of the palace wall has collapsed for long and is only covered by corrugated roofing sheets, yet no one complained of that. Lest I be misunderstood, I am not trying to denigrate the Bachama traditional institution but simply stating a fact. Also the Bell Tower of the LCCN church that is situated just a stone’s throw from the palace happen to be the tallest structure in Numan, which is visible from about eleven kilometres from the town from whichever approach.

In the aftermath of the bloodletting orgy, the state government deposed the Hama Bachama and relocated the mosque to another location as part of measures to remove hurdles to restoring peace. Unfortunately both the Bachamas and the Islamic Council in Adamawa are proving to be recalcitrant. While the Bachamas are adamant that their traditional ruler must be reinstated the Islamic Council on the other hand are standing firm that the mosque should not be relocated for whatever reason to any part of Numan. But it is this same attitude that let to the blood bath in the first place.

I think it is time we show understanding to each others feelings and make sacrifices for peace to reign in this country. We should as much as possible try to find out what demons possess our souls and those of our leaders since 1999 that make friend turn against friend; neighbour against neighbour. We weren’t this barbaric before Obasanjo round II; why the sudden spate of wanton killings and destructions? Why can’t we explore those bonds that are common to us but choose to exploit those that are divisive and destructive to us?

I have never found cause to agree with Boni Haruna’s policies, but on this, I am one with him. We should all make sacrifices no matter how painful (real or imaginary) for the sake of those who lost their lives. The Islamic Council should co-operate with the state government and ensure the mosque is moved out of the contentious area even if it means taking it to Demsa. The most important thing is for the Muslims in Numan to be able to practice their religious obligations without any molestation or fear. As to the Bacahamas they should also know that the state government must have a dossier on the security liability the Hama Bachama constituted to warrant his deposition and so therefore should allow the deposition be. The elders should nominate another from among the Bachama ruling houses who should be a father to all that reside in his domain. Taking rigid positions wouldn’t help anybody apart from angels of darkness and merchants of death.

We should collectively pray to God to exorcise whatever demons are in charge of our land. For all I know, we may be in this situation because we allowed a fraud to be committed during last years elections and the gods might have chosen to punish all of us collectively for being mute or indifferent in the face of injustice. Some of us are even collaborators for a simple pot of porridge. Since it appeares the state government is serious about bringing lasting peace to this trouble area, it should go the whole hog and do whatever it takes.

I may be the wrong person to offer suggestions on where to start, but nonetheless, I would suggest as a starting point, the government should as a matter of urgency implement the white paper on last year’s crisis. This happens to be one of the demands of the Islamic Council but was shot down by the government’s apologists for no discernible reason. But the truth of the matter is that, those found guilty must be brought to justice to serve as a deterrent to other would be troublemakers no matter how highly placed they are. I would also advice governor Boni Haruna to really, really search inwards and find out why there has been spate of unrest in the state since 2003. From 1999 to 2002, Boni governed a relatively stable state; but

from the year 2003 the story changed. The once peaceful state began experiencing skirmishes.

The governor should try to locate the factors that are responsible for the breach of peace from the beginning of 2003. He should do well by beginning from his lieutenants and close aides; who were with him from 1999 and who came on-board from 2002. He may find his answer there. The use of the ANPP’s judicial challenge of his electoral fraud isn’t responsible for the breach of peace. There are people out there who profit from mayhem and chaos. The sooner he flushes them out the better for him.