Dr Raphael Ogar Oko Cautions Yala Youths Against Community Violence: “Thou Shall Not Kill”

In a passionate and strongly-worded message to the youths of Yala Local Government Area, Dr Raphael Ogar Oko, a renowned interdisciplinary educator and peace advocate, has issued a stern caution against the rising trend of violence and extra-judicial killings within Yala communities. The statement, published via his personal channel, serves as both a moral reminder and a civic warning, urging young people to uphold peace, law, and order in their various localities.

Dr Oko, who is also the Secretary-General of the Universal Peace Federation–Nigeria, condemned the spate of killings being perpetrated by some youth factions across Yala, stressing that such actions are criminal, unjustifiable, and ultimately detrimental to the collective well-being of the people. He warned that communities engaging in or condoning such acts risk attracting legal, social, and reputational consequences that they alone must bear.

“We need to advise our community youths to desist from killing others in our communities. It is a dangerous issue that will put all of us in danger,” Dr Oko wrote in his public statement. “Any community that allows such practice should be ready to face the consequences alone and not drag other Yala communities into their criminality.”

In his reflection, Dr Oko underscored the sacredness of human life, emphasising that no individual or group possesses the right to take the life of another, regardless of provocation or perceived justification. He insisted that grievances, disputes, or suspicions of wrongdoing must be addressed through lawful channels and not through jungle justice or retaliatory violence.

“We don’t have the right to kill anyone in our communities for any reason whatsoever,” he asserted. “If anyone attempts to destroy any property or kill anyone in our community, please kindly report to security agencies.”

This statement resonates with both national and international laws that guarantee the right to life and the supremacy of due process. Dr Oko reiterated that Nigeria’s legal framework clearly prohibits extra-judicial killings and stipulates that only the justice system has the authority to determine guilt and enforce punishment.

He reminded the youths that any act of violence undermines the image of Yala as a peace-loving ethnic group and exposes the entire region to security clampdowns, mistrust from neighbouring communities, and possible exclusion from development opportunities.

“It is against the law of our nation to disregard the due process of the law and act as we wish under any situation,” he added. “THOU SHALL NOT KILL ANYONE IN YALA. IF YOU KILL ANYONE, YOU WILL FACE THE CONSEQUENCES ALONE.”

Dr Oko’s intervention comes at a critical time when concerns are mounting over the erosion of traditional values of respect for life, elders, and communal unity within some parts of the Yala nation. Community leaders, security agencies, youth groups, and religious institutions have all been called upon to amplify this message and take concrete steps toward promoting peaceful conflict resolution strategies.

Observers say the statement is timely and could be a turning point in de-escalating tensions in troubled Yala communities. It also serves as a clarion call for renewed sensitisation and engagement with youths, many of whom are vulnerable to misinformation, peer pressure, or manipulation by unscrupulous individuals seeking personal or political gain.

Stakeholders are therefore encouraged to rally around Dr Oko’s message by:

• Organising peace awareness forums in local communities to educate the youth on the consequences of violence and the benefits of lawful conduct.
• Empowering youth through community development projects that redirect their energies toward productivity.
• Strengthening partnerships with local security agencies to ensure that all threats to life and property are addressed promptly and transparently.

Dr Raphael Ogar Oko, a native of Yala, is well-respected across Nigeria for his commitment to human development, interfaith dialogue, and non-violent approaches to societal challenges. His voice continues to inspire reasoned discourse and principled action among young people and policymakers alike.

As the Yala people look toward a future of peace, prosperity, and unity, this warning stands as a moral compass and a legal reminder: no cause justifies the taking of a life.

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