HOW MUCH BLOOD IS ENOUGH?

The land in the Northwest is fragile
Its people swimming in ignorance
Willingly pauperized by its leaders
Hated by others for being extremely poor
In a land of great abundance and vast land
With thousands of prospects unattended to

Each zone has its battle and is fighting
Ours is almost a lost battle, we are doomed
Who stands and speaks for us today?
So many big names, big people doing nothing
So many great minds, intellectuals still struggling
A huge population left at the mercy of bandits

We have been reduced to a zone under unceasing threats
Bandits on motorbikes carrying AK 47 rifles
Raid and ransack our villages and rape our girls
Kidnap poor people for an impossible ransom
DOING IT at will whenever it suits them
Because nobody stands for us, we are sacrificed

What are our sins in this country, I ask?
How much blood is enough to atone our sins?
From the killing fields of Zamfara to Birnin Gwari
From the murderous spots of Southern Kaduna, Katsina to Sokoto
Innocent people already pauperized are being massacred
Their blood means nothing to those who lead

What are those political office holders in Abuja doing?
What are they doing in our Government Houses and Assemblies?
What are traditional and religious leaders doing?
What are our activists and human right fighters doing?
What are you doing to change the status quo?

So much blood has been shed and still being shed
As if the lives of our people mean nothing to us all
No life is better or more precious than another life
Nobody will fight for you and me, be sure of that
Nobody will do anything about this wanton destruction
We have to stand for us and speak for us.

Demand that those who hold political offices to act
Demand that the security outfits do their job of protection
Demand the religious and traditional leaders to act
Demand social media warriors to shout at the top of their voices
You, whatever position you hold, do your own bit,
 Start NOW.

June 11, 2020
 ©