Because of the spirit with which the young nationalist pursued their independence, it was difficult for any outside nation to penetrate them. They wanted things done their own way. As a result adopting a Westminster style parliamentary democracy which they naturally should have inherited from their masters failed and in the second thought totally failed and no group or region seemed to concur. Suddenly they had a change of heart. They needed regional government. Each region was to survive with her resources, some slim, others growing. It was fast. No time to waste. The truth was that in the standard of Africa, the region was too small to stand alone and to manage her resources as an independent nation. They speak one language and were culturally secluded.
Gradually, old prejudices resurfaced and henceforth the foundation of a great tragedy was laid. The crumb of the comfort of this country was failing totally like many other African countries. They had stirred the old scar into a new pain. The disagreement that had been in hiding all these years, seething silently like a wound that duly healed from outside did not let go. It was difficult to dig up what was in the heart. They could as well pretend in the eyes of the world that they were one, but they were far from pursuing the same interest. The man who received this independence gift had forgotten his pledge which was in part ‘it gives me strength and courage as I dedicate my life to the service of our country’.
This prejudice gradually eats so deep that it could not be reversed. With the execution of Brigadier Zaro and the six others because of their agitation for self-government for their region and the newly promulgated British land law which they knew would disfavor many regions with minimal natural resources and environmental impact with which might result later; a new battle line was drawn. An attempt was made to eliminate the big heads and thin gods by these zealous young soldiers. It could kill the zeal at which it would be pursued. This idea failed in many regions and it became a tribal matter. They had two hearts, but living as two people in their different tenths. At a point they resorted to speak in their mother tongue in a national conference to keep others off from hearing them. As for the issues at stake it was something that came at the wrong time and at the long run caused too many damages that could never be counted.
Zaro was neutral and transparent. He knew he was innocent of the many assumption and in no way fighting the government with his kinsmen and colleagues in the military, so he maintained a dignified silence throughout the trial. As a mouth to his people, he had only a life to live. He had been found guilty. His offence! A radio news had been aired that General Zaro and six others had been fingered over a coup against the government of General Sule and the news ended. For days, the news flash created a big enmity and hatred against this region and Zaro. Zaro had this confidence that his main objective was to save his people. What followed was the military tribunal ritual - to try these coupists. The issue was still hot and was treated as such. At first, he had no reason to fear. He was connected and knew many friends in this profession. Sadly, these friends and trusted ears failed him. They could have demonstrated concern over their thirteen months of incarceration and trial, but did not show up.
Zaro was routinely tortured in prison, put in leg-irons, and denied access to family, friends, a lawyer and medication. His closest friend Taro deserted him despite calls and letters. He had joined the others to pursue this interest which was the matter that kept his friend behind bars. They chose to maintain their cozy relationship with the military dictatorship to secure oil profits, post in the supreme military regime and the promise of a post in a promised civilian government in view rather than condemn the brutal and unjust arrest and later sentencing of non-violent regional self-rule campaigners. How ridiculous!
Their trial by military tribunal lasted for less than three hours by no set time. It was private and was influenced, under a blanket of secrecy. Brigadier Zaro had been fingered a traitor to the then government of General Sule. A coup thereafter was planned and said to be carried out as many report said. The manner of the trial was different and entirely new to the military system. Because the military proceedings never bothered to ascertain in any meaningful way what the wishes and desires of the people, the accused and the people involved in the matter were, rather, military mentality and … the decision was reprehensible and anti-humanity …. a total negation of human rights …. human rights being the basis of modern human consciousness, but was totally ignored, completely ignored. It was based on reported matters and no findings were carried out afterward. The inconsistency was attributed to the wrong intentions and grudges of the executors that if these ones were not wasted away, there could be a hindrance for the general implementation of the land law in many regions. Now for other resourceful region, the environmental hazard which the pollution was causing was truly damaging. As for Brig. Zaro, his only crime was his success in bringing his cause to international attention. This was a hidden fact while they painted the outside with a different story. These five were the mirror of the time for their region- the treasure base of the country. They were always in frontline to speak and to condemn the government. They were the people who understood military life and system. They also understood civilian system to a sizeable extent; African democratic and autocratic system of government. They knew what was best after all. They were learned and seasoned and vast with the principle of human right. As for the Zaki, the Mr. Council of the military tribunal who read the ruling, his reaction at first was not favorable. He did not know what to do with the ringleaders who had been arrested, because he had their details at his fingertips. He did not know whether to treat them as heroes of the revolution or send them before a court martial as mutineers and murderers. He was always in a change of mind, sorting out details and seeking for facts and issues to amend in the case. He had his conscience, but was under a pressure. He had wanted to free them or at least ease them the load. It finally did not work. How sad!