The Nigerian civil war
The Nigerian civil war was a devastation that rocked the emergent Nigerian state from 1967 to 1970. The Nigerian civil war has escalated due some complex factors, and those factors involve the killing of Igbos living in Northern Nigeria from May to September 1966, the structural imbalance of the Nigerian federation; and, most importantly, the asymmetrical distribution of power among the various ethnic and geopolitical groups. Lieutenant Colonel Odumegwu Ojukwu’s declaration of the state of Biafra on May 30, 1967, was the immediate factor responsible for the civil war. Before this declaration, the Nigerian polity was geographically divided into 3 regions. These are the Northern, Western and Eastern regions.
pic1 : Federal soldier at his post
The Igbos are of Eastern extraction. Ojukwu’s declaration will effectively excise the eastern part of Nigeria out of the federation. Thus, it was the effort of the federal government of Nigeria to truncate the east’s secession from the federation and Ojukwu’s desire to ensure the survival of Biafra that started the civil war in 1967.
what should Christians do?
Christianity is not a strict religion it is believed that serving God and keeping his commandments is a thing of choice. Christians bank on the saying "Every human is a free moral agent", you have the choice to choose between right and wrong.
Deuteronomy 30:15 See, I have set before thee this day life and good, and death and evil;
Their is no punishment or prosecution for unbelievers or falters here on earth by law executed by man.
In Nigeria today the Igbos (including other tribes at the southern part of Nigeria) who's majority are Christians is suffering from episodes of crises, including:
- killing by herdsmen
- continuous targeting of christian residence and bombings of worship centers
- structural imbalance in distribution of resources and development
- poor distribution of power among ethnic group etc.
It has been a battle and one side have been on top, not just because the Igbos are not up to the challenge (lack of allies and international support) but also because of the religious beliefs of the Igbos.
Vanity upon vanity:
Ecclesiastics 1:2 : "vanity! upon vanity!" says the preacher "all is vanity".
Psalm 144:4 : Man is like to vanity: his days are as a shadow that passeth away.
Biafra is a cry for justice. Many feel rulers have treated them badly, so they are not happy. The society will be more peaceful when rulers treat all people fairly but even at this Christians believe that the kingdom of the world will soon pass away but the kingdom of God will remain forever, considering the problem at hand as a test and a milestone, so why struggle for vanity. This belief withholds many Christians back from fighting for their right.
pic2: Can you love who destroyed you?
Love your enemy:
Matthew 5:44:
But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;
Christians keep to the instruction from God to love their enemies. A believer would rather pray for God to turn the ways of his enemy around so they would be at peace. Many Christians in Nigeria today prays for peace in the nation rather than giving swift replies to the strike of the enemy.
pic3: Trailer load of victims from the attack in Benue State
Vengeance belongeth unto God:
Romans 12:19:
Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.
Their have been countless repeated raiding of homes and settlements occupied by Igbos in the northern and middle-belt region by herdsmen.
pic4 Herdsman with assault rifle
The situation has escalated so much that we lost count of dropped bodies. By March 2018 there was a call for self-defense by the former military chief Theophilus Danjuma. Christians don't kill and their is no certainty on Gods take on self-defense.
THE END