EAGLE EYE
In the aftermath of one of the cruellest religious crises ever witnessed in Plateau in the year 2004 or thereabouts, I and my family witnessed a very memorable supernatural event. Due to the ugly nature of the crisis, the blood bath, maiming of youth in their prime, the curfew which was declared from dusk to dawn had just been relaxed to 6:am in the morning to 5:00pm in the evening.
We were living in an environment unfriendly at that time to our religious beliefs. After escaping by the whiskers, through the help of a security operative and a friend, the best we could do was to leave the area around 9: 00 am and come back just before the curfew. It was like we were still squatting with friends.
It is one thing for someone to offer one his home, and another for one to overstay one’s welcome. We spent the worst days of the crisis in our friends’ house. But had to head back home the moment security was beefed up to give the wonderful family that offered us their home, some space. Even so, there was no way we could stay around in the daytime.
It so happened that on this fateful day, we were rushing as always to beat the curfew time. As we took the road that leads to Abattoir from the Air Force Roundabout, my 2 boys started shrieking excitedly. They were claiming to be seeing some riders on horses racing in the clouds above. Finding that hard to believe, I looked up, but all I could see was the sky.
Their excitement got the better of my husband who was driving. He parked the car and looked up and in no time, he joined in the excitement. He said he was shocked I could not see riders on horses galloping away with the wind blowing their clothes and making them appear bigger.
It was frustrating. No matter how hard I looked, I saw only the blue sky. Desperate to be part of the story, I began to plead with God to open my spiritual eyes. And like magic, I saw them. They looked like warriors on very wonderful looking horses, wearing long caftans and turban on their heads. I saw 3 riders on 3 horses riding hard and fast. And we were seeing them standing in one place. We watched them until they disappeared into thick clouds. By then, the traffic was non existent because it was a few minutes to the start of the curfew.
It was like watching a movie on a gigantic screen. People who saw us looking up in excitement must have dismissed us as a crazy family especially if they had looked up. Thankfully, nothing spoiled our joy. It was a smooth ride to our abode with no harassment from security operatives who abound on the road.
When I discussed with a pastor what we witnessed, he directed me to the book of Revelations 6:1-8. This Scripture talks about the 4 horse riders that represent God’s judgment against man’s rebellion. The first horse is very different from the remaining 3 because it’s white in colour and represents victory. Some analysts say it is the symbol of Christ. Red stands for warfare and bloodshed, black for famine, pale green for death. These horses each had its mission- to kill and destroy.
What we saw may have foretold the future, describing the time we are in today. It may have been pointing to the crises that had engulfed Plateau after that year. The Dogo na Hauwa massacre where hundreds of women and children were killed while sleeping, was yet to come. Those were days of doom in Plateau State.
Then came the era of bombing of public places. Those were days of doom. Many innocent souls were wasted in that irrational and wicked manner. The number of those cut in their prime is uncountable. Some met their death in the hands of abductors, kidnappers or farmer/ herder clashes.
We were yet to witness the unfortunate Chibok girls debacle, and others that followed after it. In the past, there was a little respect for the sanctity of life. It was also uncalled for to use children as bait. But after the news generated by the Chibok girls’ abduction, it is now the order of the day.
So many jobless people have resorted to kidnapping, abductions, to sustain their families. It does not require facing the opponent squarely. All it takes is to get soft targets, and when ransom is paid for their release, it does not involve exchange of bullets but give and take with the giver feeling intimidated and the receiver feeling superior.
We were yet to see a time when security of life is not assured even in the confines of one’s home. If it is not petty thieves, then it could be armed robbers or kidnappers lurking around the corner. We are at our wit’s end.
Things are so hard. Evil is at its height. The basic necessities of life are beyond the reach of the poor masses which make up the bulk of Nigeria’s population. In desperation, some family men and women have resorted to criminal acts.
To make matters worse, the future of our youth has been n toyed with anytime the Federal Government and ASUU flex their muscles. An idle mind being the devil’s workshop, a number of students have fallen short of the glory of God. Some are now drug addicts or cultists or even both.
Where do we go from here? The solution is in God’s word: “Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness and all the rest shall be added unto you. “
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