They say America wants to invade Nigeria and rescue us from the continuous killings that have ravaged the country for over a decade. Apparently, someone in the Pentagon just realized that the “freedom ceremonies” for repentant terrorists are not scenes from a badly directed Nollywood film but actual, tax-funded events.

Hehehehe. Jokes on Americurrr. Nigeria has been in reverse since 2015! In fact, way before and far beyond that. Yet somehow, like the errant child in school everyone is forced to tolerate, we’ve always found a way to get by.

As I listen to Cash Madam by Sikiru Ayinde Barrister (RIP) while writing this, I can’t help but wonder if the older generation ever thanked God enough for how much better they had it. We have experienced too much too soon! It seems my generation has been marked as God’s strongest soldiers (no pun intended) because only us have experienced:

• a pandemic
• a drastic decline in socioeconomic development
• AI’s getting sentient
• TikTok
• and multiple threats of another world war

And now, talking about war, America is lasering in on Nigeria over the purported genocide of Christians.

It would be disingenuous to deny there haven’t been intentional, relentless killings of Christians. The evidence is there: Benue, Kaduna, Jos, Ondo—worshippers slaughtered in churches, people attacked simply for existing. Violence meted upon a group of people because of their faith. It is unwarranted, unnecessary, and absolutely reprehensible.

However, America is not the saviour we need. Because what exactly will they do? Where would they even start? Who appointed America the Olori ebi of the world, empowered to decide which country deserves invasion by drone and democracy? Why? And for what?

It’s well documented that Trump is behind the latest jabber. A man known to blurt out the most insane things; half the time you’re not sure whether it’s him speaking or the onset of senile dementia. If history is any guide, where has American intervention ever led a nation? More destruction. Systemic overhaul. Displaced families. Bombed-out villages labelled “terrorist hideouts.”

But make no mistake, this doesn’t excuse Nigeria. Our leadership and governance are stupid! A lot of fools and clowns have been made heroes. Imagine a steroid-fueled influencer holding sway over thousands of Nigerians, and another attention-seeking idiot with a saviour complex commanding followers like a digital messiah. I’m sure if he asked them to come online and pledge allegiance, they would gladly obey. Have you seen them defend him?

Do I blame this attention-hungry opportunist who would jump ship the moment the coolness of newly minted notes touches his palms? No. Because the real blame lies with the cabal of selfish old men, blinded by greed, who have refused to do what must be done years ago. What should have been nipped in the bud was left to encroach, and now it is choking us.

It’s choking us.

It’s absolutely unfair to watch my country disintegrate while no clear solution emerges the way it does in the movies. People are dead and still dying.

The South East is ravaged by “unknown gunmen.” How can they be unknown? Why was this allowed to fester? The North has been in chaos for over a decade, yet our leaders folded their arms like helpless spectators when we have Armed Forces. Villages wiped out. Fathers killed. Daughters raped. Sons burnt alive as their mothers watch. I repeat. Villages are wiped out! Fathers get killed! Daughters get raped! Sons get burnt alive as their mothers watch in terror! AND SOME OF THESE DEMONS PROCLAIM THEY ARE DOING IT IN THE NAME OF GOD? IN THE NAME OF WHICH GOD! WHICH FUCKING GOD IS BLOOD THIRSTY THAT NEEDS TO BE APPEASED BY THE DEATHS OF INNOCENT AND ORDINARY PEOPLE JUST GOING ABOUT THEIR BUSINESS?

These issues used to be echoes, background noise over breakfast as the news reporter’s announces yet another massacre in the far north. Perhaps that is why many people paid it no mind. Until it drew closer wearing different masks: kidnappers, bandits, gunmen, Fulani herdsmen. My state, that lies between the North and the South West, is under siege by a militia group who have started penetrating and leaving scores dead in whatever wretched mission they are on! Oke Ode, a sleepy town, where some of my distant families live was brutally attacked in October. People are running from their villages. They are running away from the country too, all because of this violence that won’t let up! From faraway Maiduguri to Kwara, the line of terror is closing in.

Which beg the question, will the recent statement from Trump make Nigerian government sit up and finally pay proper attention to this killing? How soon will these house of cards be put in order before it collapses?! People shouldn’t live in fear!

December approaches, and countless Igbo families won’t travel home for Christmas. Not because of flight prices, but because the roads are death traps. People are not fleeing from the trailers or the potholes on the road. They are wary of the evil that now stalks the country. The evil that kidnaps, demands ransom, collects it, and still kills.

The evil that leaves you empty and guilt-ridden for surviving. For doing nothing and not knowing what to do.