Written and compiled by a Nigerian student activist

In our contemporary society, to voice out whole heartedly, in the face of tyranny and persecution, is like a thorn in the flesh of the oppressors of the day. Life then becomes unbearable and absurd where vices dictate the direction of the day without any supernatural forces checkmating its ideals, goals and targets. This life, if it is to be meaningful and more interesting to its inhabitants. It must not be a straight line ideology or one-way traffic system. It must be very crooked, rough and rugged with steep slippery slopes. Because of these odd features of life, we should always be prepared for the unexpected and the unholy hours of predation. Casualties coupled with many hydra-headed problems are bound to transpire between this life and its inhabitants.

In a letter written to Leon Trotsky, the late Russian revolutionary, by one of his followers which reads thus: Human life has meanings to me only to that extent and if it is lived in the service of humanity, to me humanity is infinite and justice is the first condition of humanity.

The definition of an assassin as given by the Longman Dictionary of contemporary English goes like this: "A person who murders (a ruler or politician) for political reasons or reward". Who is behind all the recent assassinations in Nigeria? But why and why these cruel murders? The late foremost nationalist, veteran journalist and great elderstateman - Dr. Benjamin Nnadi Azikwe (Zik of Africa) once said the following in one of his great philosophical poems:

Dele Giwa was our first casuality of the novel instrumentality of a parcel bomb. Ten years ago he was checkmated by the icy claws of Death, and his killers are yet to be found and prosecuted. The national question on every resonable lip is: WHO KILLED DELE GIWA?

A typical Nigerian assassin (either hired or unhired!) is a dangerous "blood-sucking" vampire. As a wild predator, he is ready to capture his preys or targets. No matter what it might cost, his prey must be sent to the great beyond to dialogue with his ancestors over there. The Nigerian assassin is more brutal than a Brutus.

Recent assassinations in Nigeria have clearly shown to us the insecurity of all the inhabitants in Nigeria, security in what frame work? Employing the best security guards with his trained alsatian dogs, with burglar alarm electronically fitted in your mansion or what? Or by always moving about with your mobile cellular phone like NOKIA, MOTOROLA, ERICSSON, SONY etc. Should in case there is any tragedy of armed robbery or hired assassinations, then you hurriedly and quickly dial the hot line nought - nine - nought: hello .....

Many Nigerians have been brutally murdered in cold blood in recent times with little or no effort by either the society or government via Nigerian police force to unmask the faceless culprits. We are now living in fear in our fatherland before our very eyes. What is really wrong with those hired assassins? Love of money, prestige, power or what?

The elderstateman and a great nationalist - Pa Alfred Rewane was cruelly assassinated at his residence in Lagos on the 6th of October 1995. A whole elderstateman murdered in cold blood! We are yet to know the motive behind his death at the age of 79. Why can't his killers leave him alone to die a natural death because of his old age?

Alhaja (Mrs) Kudirat Olayinka Abiola was also forced to kiss the dust by the unknown faceless gunmen on the 4th of June 1996. Who did that? The likes of Elegbedes, Omotehinwas were also compelled by the command of the assassins to swallow the bitter pills of death in cold blood.

Chief (Mrs) Esther Bisoye Tejuoso - a successful businesswoman and the Iyalode of Egbaland in Ogun State was also inhumanly murdered in her residence on the tragic day of 19th September 1996 at the age of 80. As if those brutal killings were not enough for all and sundry. Recently in Ibadan, on the 14th of November 1996 Alhaja Suliat Adedeji - the Ibadan based politician and businesswoman was also send to the great beyond by the unknown assassins (hired or unhired!). Who is behind all these assassinations? According to late great journalist Dele Giwa who once said:

No evil deed will go unpunished, an evil deed done to man by man, if not addressed now then later. If not by man then by God. For the triumph of evil over good is just temporary. He also said: A soul brutally checkmated by death is like killing in pogrom.

Those brutal assassinations are clear manifestations of a decaying society like Nigeria. Hired or unhired assassinations: The unresolved national question? It is a general belief that a time will come when the hunters (assassins, of course) shall become the hunted directly or indirectly. We are all waiting for that very soon. Who is the next casualty?