Dare Babalola
The Senior Pastor of Dunamis International Gospel Centre, Paul Eneche, has expressed deep anguish over the recent wave of violent attacks in parts of Nigeria, describing the situation as tragic and unacceptable.
Speaking during a sermon, Eneche said he addressed his congregation “with a very, very heavy heart” following what he described as a disturbing pattern of killings and insecurity witnessed within the past week.
He cited a deadly attack in Kaduna State that occurred during a wedding celebration on Palm Sunday, where gunmen reportedly stormed the event late at night.
“People were in a wedding by 11:30 p.m. in the night. Gunmen arrived on the wedding occasion, killed 13 persons, injured 28, and abducted others,” he said.
The cleric painted a grim picture of the emotional toll such incidents leave on victims and their families.
“How does it feel like it was your wedding day… and all you got was bloodshed and tears because of devils and their incarnates?” he asked.
Eneche also referenced another violent incident in Jos, Plateau State, which he said occurred on the same Palm Sunday. According to him, gunmen opened fire on a group of young people in the evening, resulting in multiple casualties.
“Some said 28 were killed; a Christian leader I spoke to said over 40 killed, many injured,” he stated.
He further narrated a disturbing video he claimed to have received, showing a young man being attacked near the University of Jos gate in broad daylight.
“They just rushed at him and were killing him in daylight. A human being. These people that surrounded him may not be more than five or six,” he said.
The pastor condemned what he described as the apparent indifference of bystanders during the incident.
“Cars were passing and driving aside. People were standing and watching it, only four or five people were killing this boy, and nobody stepped down to rescue him,” he lamented.
Eneche attributed such reactions to what he termed a growing culture of selfishness and lack of value for human life.
“That is the selfishness, the wickedness that is killing this nation. People are self-centered, minding their business to the detriment of human life,” he said.
In his sermon, the cleric posed a series of critical questions directed at both the government and citizens, challenging the nation’s priorities in the face of worsening insecurity.
“Is it not better and easier to deploy all necessary resources to ensure the killing of Christians stops than to spend time denying that genocide exists?” he queried.
He also questioned the focus of political leaders, suggesting that electoral ambitions were being prioritized over the safety of citizens.
“Is it not more profitable for the nation to defend the lives of the people than to prepare for the next election over the dead victims of state failure?” he asked.
Eneche warned that persistent insecurity could hinder national development and discourage foreign investment.
“Who wants to bring investment to a nation where you are not sure of safety?” he said, adding that Nigeria risks being left behind by smaller but more stable countries.
The cleric also decried the country’s international image, noting that insecurity has contributed to negative perceptions abroad.
“When will we be tired of being a reproach among the nations of the world?” he asked.
While criticizing leadership, Eneche also turned attention to citizens, arguing that societal attitudes contribute to the problem.
“It is easy to blame leadership, but what about followership? That video speaks volumes about this nation,” he said.
Calling for decisive action, Eneche urged authorities to ensure that perpetrators of violence are swiftly apprehended and prosecuted.
“When will valueless, senseless killers be instantly apprehended and rapidly prosecuted? We are waiting for arrests waiting for prosecution,” he said.
He stressed that justice must not only be done but be seen to be done, warning that failure to punish offenders encourages further violence.
“You don’t wake up and kill people and nothing happens. Then tomorrow, they come again,” he added.
Eneche, however, acknowledged that Nigeria’s security challenges predate the current administration, noting that the problem has persisted for decades.
“Where we find ourselves did not start with the current leadership it started many years ago. But there should be at least one leader who will say, ‘Not under my watch, enough is enough,’” he said.
He concluded by lamenting the transformation of once peaceful cities into conflict zones, citing Jos as an example.
“Jos was a beautiful place but today, it has been turned into a blood field,” he said.
The sermon has since sparked reactions online, with many Nigerians echoing concerns over insecurity and calling for urgent reforms to address the country’s safety challenges.
