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| Nnamdi Kanu vs Nigerian Govt: Biafrans must learn from the story of Hannibal and the destruction of Carthage |
Many may not have heard of a country known as Carthage. That is because that country was thoroughly destroyed by the Romans in 208 during the 3rd Punic War, the third of the series of wars between Romans and Carthaginians.
Before those wars, Carthage was one of the most prominent countries in Africa, with sphere of influence crossing the Mediterranean to reach Spain and Italian Islands. Having the most powerful navy in the axis, Carthage dominated the political, military and economic affairs of the western Mediterranean Sea, until the secrets of it's naval technology got to the Romans.
Rome at that time was an emerging world power. Having risen as a city-state in the Italian Peninsula was expanding its influence across other Italian city states. It was emerging as the strongest land-based military power in the axis, and when the secrets of Carthaginian naval power got to it, Rome was near invincible and ready for a kill.
The conflict between Rome and Carthage began with the the First Punic War, which was triggered by the landing of Roman soldiers at Messana in 264 BC leading to the land war in Sicily, which was being controlled by Carthage. As the war progressed, Hamilcar Barca, was drafted into the war. He commanded the Carthaginian land forces in Sicily from 247 BC to 241 BC, during the latter stages of the First Punic War. He successful led guerrilla war against the Romans in Sicily. Hamilcar later retired to Africa following the defeat of Carthage by the Romans.
As a child, Hannibal Barca, the son of Hamilcar Barca, witnessed the humiliation of his countrymen by Romans at the end of the the First Punic War. A one time super power was reduced to a vassal of Rome, and paying high war indemnity to their conquerors.
Hannibal vowed to restore the dignity of Carthage. Hannibal grew to become one of the greatest military commanders in history. He led a daring war against the Romans. Bringing the war directly to the heart of Rome and had Romans panicking for years. However, Hannibal military campaign against Romans in the 2nd Punic War suffered due to betrayal from his home front.
While Hannibal and his army were in Italy having conquered large swathes of land in Italy and besieging Rome, the politicians back in Carthage, refused to give him the necessary support and funding he needed to prosecute the war. They were still bickering until the Romans launched a counteroffensive and ultimately pushing Hannibal and his forces out of Italy. The Romans under Scipio took the battle back to Carthage and defeated Hannibal at the Battle of Zama, forcing Carthage to surrender. From that point on Carthage never regained its prominence and was dealt a final blow during the 3rd Punic War.
Nnamdi Kanu, as a child must have witnessed the humiliation of Biafrans by Nigerian forces. For a start the brutal assassination of his kinsman Aguiyi Ironsi before the war must have left an indelible mark deep inside him.
The massacre of millions of Biafrans and subsequent arrogance and maltreatment of Biafrans by successive Nigerian government calcified his desire to set Biafra free from her tormentors.
Kanu set his mind at liberating Biafrans. With just his radio, Kanu galvanised millions of Biafrans across the globe. His messages set Nigeria on fire, sending jitters down the spine of Nigerian government. Kanu has singlehandedly raised the Biafran consciousness to a crescendo that has never been attained since the end of the first Biafra-Nigeria War.
Kanu saw the imminent genocide of Biafrans being plotted by Arewa militants and was screaming his head off. Before Fulanis began attacking Biafrans in their homes, Kanu saw it coming.
However, like Hannibal, many Biafrans have continued to undermine Kanu's efforts at liberating Biafrans. They have tried spreading false information against him. They have tried to humiliate him, they have tried to destroy. Whereas most Biafrans are with Kanu, few elements have continued to actively work with the enemy against the common interests of Biafrans. Like Hannibal and Carthaginian politicians, Biafran politicians appear not to have similar vision with Kanu and have decided to be stumbling blocks to his efforts.
It is amply clear that Arewa militants masquerading as Nigerian military are desirous of destroying Biafra and anything that lives in it. The bile that runs through them against us is terrifying. Yet many Biafrans seem oblivious of this looming danger.
Perhaps the story of the destruction of Carthage would serve as a warning to those Biafrans. When Rome finally defeated Carthage both Hannibal and Carthaginian politicians suffered. Today, no one hears about Carthage.
If Biafrans do not help Nnamdi Kanu to restore Biafra now, when Arewa militants will descend on us, it will be DECIMATION!
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