While some states dance to poetic rhythms,
others tremble to theft’s discordant beats,
gunshots echo through homes, roads, and worship centers,
men-in-uniform, sworn to protect, yet perpetrators.
Their oath to defend taxpayers’ lives and property,
contrasts with their actions,
yearly budgets earmark billions for their operations,
yet safety is a luxury, not a citizens’ right.
When contacted, some demand stipends, others blame mobile networks;
while some hire out their guns,
others ignore distress calls,
they arrive at crime scenes during mourning
their guns, meant to protect, now instruments of terror.
The media echoes government inaction,
leaders direct and order, but results are scarce,
promotions for sabotage, a badge of shame,
While religious leaders call for Christ-like traits.
But why not depend on the blood of Christ,
As they preach, protected by armed men?
We’ve seen the temple turned chaotic,
Perhaps we’ll follow suit, to halt this nation’s upheaval.
Children orphaned, parents childless,
citizens sleep with one eye open,
students beg on streets, teachers unpaid,
schools, once safe havens, now kidnappers’ prey.
Billions approved for National Assembly seats,
While structures crumble,
teachers collect bribes in cash and kind,
armed men make life hell, perpetrators go free,
our sisters raped, brothers incarcerated as suspects
Leaders have failed; their people cry,
innocent lives soaked in blood, they act belatedly,
Beat us, yet silence our cries,
Benue bleeds, Plateau suffers.
tomorrow might be East. West. South. North.
We must rise; we must rise like the Israelites,
with sophisticated weapons,
protect ourselves, protect our territories;
peace for peace, war for war,
Or we’ll perish, like our ancestors.
Written by JOEY Anzaku ( B.A, M.A, PGDE, & Ph.D in view ).
