Death by Convoy

An American life is worth $8.7 million, a Malaysian life, $345, 000 and an Australian life is $2.2 million. The value of a Nigerian life is zero. It is zero because the  government cares little for her citizen both home and abroad. In addition to stifling the potentials of citizens, the government (at all levels) also commits acts of violence against them.  Brutality and  wanton killing of citizens is a norm that should have passed with the Military era. Unfortunately, it has not.  The present crop of "democratic rulers" have imbibed the culture and kill the citizens they are meant to protect through their careless and reckless convoys that are above traffic rules.

Below is a list of accidents caused by government convoys since 2000.

Date	Convoy	Status	Number dead	Number Injured	Harassed
12-May-00	Kofo Bucknor- Akerele	Lagos State Deputy Governor	1
19-Aug-02	Titi Abubakar	Wife of the Vice-President	1
No date, 2003	Gbenga Daniel	Ogun State Governor	5
No date, 2008	Peter Obi	Anambra State Governor	6
16-May-07	Joshua Dariye	Jos State Governor	9		Elizabeth Udoudo & 2 children
12-Sep-07	Oserheim Osunbor	Edo State Governor	12		Uzoma Okere
10-Feb-08	Ikedi Ohakim	Imo State Governor		6
3-Nov-08	Harry Arogundade	Naval Officer			Eustace Okorie
12-Apr-09	SamiuTuraki	Jigawa State Governor
18-Dec-09	Olagunsoye Oyinlola	Osun State Governor
15-Oct-09	Olusegun Mimiko	Ondo State Governor	6		Ufuoma Ejenobor
8-Aug-10	Ikedi Ohakim	Imo State Governor
29-Oct-10	Adeyemi Ikuforiji	Lagos State Speaker
15-Mar-11	Ibrahim Shema	Katsina State Governor	8
17-Mar-11	Aliyu Babangida	Niger State Governor	2	6
9-Oct-11	Ibrahim Muhammad	Zamfara State Deputy Governor	2
13-Dec-11	Emmanuel Uduaghan	Delta State Governor		Unknown
28-Apr-12	Adams Oshiomole	Edo State Governor	3	4
24-Jun-12	Abdulaziz Yari	Zamfara State Governor	1	5
12-Sep-12	Diezani Alison- Madueke	Federal Minister	1
23-Sep-12	Tanko Al-Makura	Nassarawa State Governor	3	Unknown
22-Nov-12	Patrick Yakowa	Kaduna State Governor	1
14-Dec-12	Danjuma Goje	Senator of the Federal Republic	1
28-Dec-12	Idris Wada	Kogi State Governor	1	1
18-Jan-13	Ibrahim Dankwambo	Gombe State Governor	1	6
20-Jan-13	Ahmed Musa-Ibeto	Niger State deputy Governor	2
12-Nov-13	Idris Wada	Kogi State Governor	1
13-Nov-13	Omolewa Ahmed	Kwara State First Lady	2	Unknown
1-Feb-14	Ali Olanusi	Ondo State deputy Governor	1	Unknown

It is unfortunate that government, which exists to protect the lives of citizens, is responsible for taking it forcefully without any repercussions. Sadder still is that some of the victims are the aides of these rulers. Yes, a Nigerian life is not worth much but there should be limits. Immunity for government officials should not cover criminal acts like willful manslaughter. Also, protocol officers and drivers not covered by immunity should be prosecuted for any deaths and accidents that occur as a result of their reckless driving. The right to life is a guaranteed right and everyone has just one life to live. It is unfair, very unfair for a ruler to arbitrarily take that life just to show they are the "kings-of the road"