ABUSE OF VALUE AND SANCTITY OF HUMAN LIFE IN CONTEMPORARY IGBO LAND

Abstract

Human life is sacred and highly priced in all known cultures of man. Life is precious and a gift from God; as such, life is treated with utmost care to avoid its violation. However, what obtains in recent times in respect to life is the stack opposite of God's injunction concerning life; especially in Igbo land. The value and sanctity of human life is fast eroding in Igbo land today. It is a situation where innocent human blood is being shed without recourse to its worth, essence and God's injunction forbidding man to kill. Man has become an enemy to himself; meting out an unprecedented violence against his fellow man. This research adopted descriptive phenomenological method and the use of secondary sources of data collection to address the problems identified. It was discovered that there has been an alarming increase at the rate of murder in Igbo land as a result of the activities of Fulani herdsmen, ritual killing and the crackdown of pro-Biafran groups by the security operatives in Igbo land. The quest for wealth, power, fame and domination of others has beclouded the sense of many to the point that they can stop at nothing to get what they want, including shedding of human blood. It advised that government agencies entrusted with the security of human life and property be up and doing. The religious leaders should teach the tenets of their religions to the followers and re-orientate them on the importance of respect for and sanctity of human life.