ADVANCING THE MERCENARIES OF AFRICAN TRADITIONAL RELIGION IN THE FIGHT FOR GLOBAL PEACE AND SECURITY

Globally, the world is under attack. Call it al-Qaeda, Hezbollah, ISIS (Islamic State of Iraq and Syria), Boko Haram, or banditry. In fact, the list is endless. These organizations are increasingly assuming the position and posture of a hydra-headed monster. The military interventions of combined forces from America, Britain and indeed the United Nations joint forces have not succeeded in silencing these forces that tend to annihilate the entire humanity from the face of the earth. In Africa and particularly Nigeria, nobody can give the accurate figures of lives lost daily as a result of the activities of these terrorists, insurgents and bandits. Military weapons are daily acquired, personnel are daily trained, equipped and lined up to confront these forces, yet these anti-state forces do not feel perturbed, as they are increasingly posing and assuming greater dimensions against the people and states. It is to be noted that African Traditional Religion has mercenaries that can be deployed to assist in the curbing of the activities of these enemy powers. Such mercenaries as witchcraft, medicine, masquerades, secret cults and the like can provide the needed panacea for ensuring peace and security in the global world. The world recognizes and allows orthodox medicine to thrive with traditional medicine in the provision and promotion of human health. Is acupuncture not a key component of traditional Chinese medicine? Do our laws and courts not recognize our customary arbitration, especially oath taking, as veritable means of conflict/dispute resolution? It then becomes pertinent that orthodox military weaponry can go hand in hand with African traditional forces and powers in our collective search for global peace and security. Indeed, the world stands to benefit from African Traditional Religion and its culture of peace.

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