Reopen Files of Extra-judicial Killings Now; Soyinka Tells Security Agencies

Nobel Laureate Prof Wole Soyinka has urged security agencies in the country to reopen cases of extra-judicial killings in the country.
He spoke at a creative session sponsored by Providus Bank in Lagos as part of activities to mark the playwright’s 89th birthday.
“I want all security agencies in this country, and all those in governance to open the case files of all those who were killed as a result of intolerance,”
Soyinka, who said he does not care whether they were said to have abused this or that, saying the fact is those involved have been involved in extrajudicial killing.
And time again, these files disappear. The students who butchered Debora Samuel, who killed her in the presence of armed police, and who were later arrested had been released.
“And we say we are living in a civilised society where people like Zulu Gabari can insist that those who happen not to believe his own pathway, our own traditional ways of worshipping any deity of our own chosen. If you don’t believe in those deities that is your problem.
“Nobody has disturbed you; nobody had said come to you said, ‘you must come and join us.’ Some people say they believe in giving honour to the goddess ‘Osun’, and they have a festival called ‘Isese’ and they want to celebrate that festival. What is your goddam business to prevent them simply because you’re sitting in authority?
And yet they get away with it time and time again. I think it’s about time to speak truth to one another. It’s about time that we move into proactivity rather than reacting when insults had been heaped on dead when we have been insulted and desecrated.
“Extend visa denial to religious bigots, extend the visa ban to those who preach and who applaud violence in the name of religion,” he said.