by Tony Icheku, Abuja

 It is provoking and galling  that as the echoes from Boko Haram bombs gradually fades, Nigerians are again being visited by another horde of blood sucking demons from the pit of hell!

 The un-authenticated accounts so far of their crimes against Nigerians paint a profile of heavily armed persons lusting for the blood of Nigerians and ready to spill same at the drop of a pin: From Zamfara, to  Agatu, to Akure, to Ibadan to Enugu, this armed vampires steals into an otherwise  quiet, peaceful  community, and anarchy like a rabid dog is set loose. With vehemence and fury, properties are destroyed, the elderly, children, women  are slaughtered. What a heinous, provocative and gory display of barbarity!

 Neither the Nigeria Police or any relevant security body has come to tell Nigerians who these rabid dogs  are. This is very unfortunate and provocative.

 The media has always reeferred to these blood sucking elements as Fulani herdsmen. Are they really? The orgy of bloodletting and mindless destruction of properties usually left to tell of these incidents paints a picture of rampaging marauders. The stealthy manner they descend upon communities and vanish
thereafter contradicts the picture one has of the average cattle Fulani.

 But worse still how does one explain the deafening silence from both the police and other security agencies. What does one make of their apparent helplessness and bewilderment after every such attack? This is  very wicked, very disappointing, disgusting and invitation to anarchy.

 The two recent attacks in Agatu, Benue State and Ukpabi Nimbo, Uzo Uwani, Enugu State, still fresh in our minds seemed like well-planned action executed without any intervention from the law enforcement or security agencies. What does one make of these??

 Reports from the Enugu attack points to the fact that both the State Governor, the community had advance notice and notified the appropriate authorites who failed to act. Of course this is not the first time Nigerian are being told this harsh truth.

 A community leader  from Ukpabu Nimbo, Dr George Ajogu said they were not taken unaware. Besides reporting to the security agencies, it appeared they sat like dummies hoping their death sentence would be averted. 

 Ajogu reportedly said:  “Had it been that security agencies responded appropriately, this would not have happened.

 “They (Fulani herdsmen) did not take us unawares, we knew they were coming.

 “We are not happy, we have been crying for more than two weeks that our community is under threat. Now, over 20 people are dead".

 In a related development, the  Caretaker Chairman, Uzo-Uwani Local Government Area, Mr. Cornel Onwubuya, said he personally alerted the governor, the commissioner of police and heads of other security agencies after he received a confirmation from some Fulani leaders in the area that the herdsmen were going to attack the community.

 Onwubuya disclosed that acting on the report, the State Governor, Ugwuanyi convened a state security council meeting on Sunday night.

 To cap this, Gov Ugwuanyi reportedly said after visiting the community:“Until the Federal Government decides to address this situation, this will continue to happen,” he said.

 I think this is abosulute hogwash. Ineptitude of the highest order. Let me remind Mr Governor that it was not until the Civillian JTF said enough is enough and went after the Boko Haram terrorists themselves, that the Army discovered their rhythm.

 Nigerians must wake up to the fact that as usual, the authorities had sold out. It's time Nigerians take their fate into their hands, and like the Boys Scout motto: Be Prepared! Forget they have AK47 or what not, I see them as bullies and cowards who will flee when confronted.

 Let Nigerians stop wasting time waiting for the Police, arm yourself with sticks, stones, devise strategies, use element of surprise, these blood sucking vampires must be stopped now before they mature to a blood guzzling behemoth