Nobel laureate, Prof. Wole Soyinka on Thursday broke the
silence on purported attack by Fulani herdsmen, saying that he was not
physically attacked, but that the herders and cows attacked his property.
There have been diverse narration on attack on Soyinka and
his property by Fulani herdsmen on Tuesday.
Soyinka, in a statement, said “for those who truly seek
details of the Ijegba incident, I hereby affirm that I was never physically
attacked, neither did I attack any cows.
The cows and herders did however attack my property – and not for the
first time.”
He said the most distressful aspect of his recent
interaction with cows and herders was that it has created a most unwanted
distraction from the ongoing life and death Nigerian narrative.
“One has to take time off to deal with distortions and Fake
versions, while students are being reportedly waylaid and killed and/or
kidnapped in Ondo and farmers are being slaughtered in my own state. In short,
the killings continue even as panels are being launched to enquire into
immediate past human violations,” he said.
Soyinka said the police needed to be very, very careful,
learn to be straightforward with public information, saying failure to adhere
to that obvious, basic form of conduct meant that the public would lose total
confidence in security agencies and constantly by-pass them in times of civic
unrest, no matter how trivial or deadly.
“How on earth could the police claim that my property was
not invaded by cattle? It was. My groundsmen knew the drill and commenced the
process of expelling them. Fortunately, I was then driving out and was able to
lend a hand by vehicle maneuvering. Both cattle and herdsmen were flushed out of
my property.
” Once they were outside the gates, I came down from the
vehicle and beckoned the herdsmen to come over. At first they pretended not to
understand, then, as I approached, fled into the bush. We thereupon “arrested”
the cows, confining them to the roadside, while I sent my groundsman, Taiye, to
the police to come and take over.
“Since they took rather long in responding, I summoned a
replacement and proceeded to the police station. On the way, we met a
detachment, turned round, and together we returned to the scene of crime. The
police wanted to commence combing the bush for the fugitives but I stopped them
– what was the point? Keep the cows, I advised, and the owner will show up. Of
course, that owner eventually did,” he explained.
Soyinka added: “I thoroughly resent the police version which
suggests that the cows never invaded my home: home is not just a building, it
includes its grounds. And it was not a stray cow, or two or three. It was a
herd – we have photos, so why the lie? It is so unnecessary, unprofessional and
suspiciously compromised. The police suggest that I have nothing better to do
than to go accosting cows on the public road – to what end? If the police demand proof, the next time
such an invasion takes place, I warn that there will be no lack for cadaver
affirmation and the police will be officially invited to join in the ensuing
suya feast. So please, let us get serious!
“Getting serious means seeking with a sense of urgency, ways
of terminating mayhem, impunity, and the homicidal culture being imposed on us
through some near cultic business minority who just happen to trade in cattle.
It means not giving up on peaceful solutions, but also being prepared for the
worst. Those of my line of thought have been working on various ways of
sensitizing the nation to the very real and imminent danger issuing from this
cattle aberration.
“The menace, I repeat, challenges us as a cohesive entity
and as communities of free individuals, committed to the dignity of existence.
Cattle imperialism under any guise is an obscenity to humanity. So let me serve
notice that we are about to commence a process of public sensitization; we hope
even the police will join hands with the agenda as it progresses.
“A special practical plea: now that the railways are being
resurrected, let us make cattle wagons a
priority. I grew up with the regular
sight of those practical conveyances. It is time to bring them back,” he added.
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