Dare Babalola
The Catholic Archbishop of Lagos, Most Rev. Dr. Alfred Adewale Martins, has warned that Nigeria is on the brink of chaos due to escalating insecurity, citing recent attacks such as the abduction of 25 schoolgirls from Kebbi State and the killing of a Catholic priest in Kaduna State.
The Archbishop spoke on Friday through Very Rev. Fr. Anthony Godonu, the Director of Social Communication for Lagos Archdiocese.
He expressed deep concern over the safety and well-being of the abducted students and urged President Bola Tinubu’s administration to take decisive action against terrorists and their sponsors.
“He said the festering terrorists’ attacks in parts of the country and the mass killing of innocent Nigerians in recent times, have further affirmed the need for the federal government and the Security Agencies, as a matter of urgency, to identify and deal decisively with the terrorists and their sponsors,” the statement said.
Archbishop Martins emphasised that the government has a constitutional duty to protect its citizens and that the recent attacks demonstrate the need for urgent measures to address insecurity across the country.
He continued, “It is a matter of great concern that there has been a spike in the cases of terrorist attacks across the country in recent times, especially since the threat made by President Donald Trump. It seems there are some elements who are making deliberate efforts to throw this nation into chaos. For instance, how does one describe the manner in which the school girls were kidnapped, the brutal murder of a staff member, the school’s Vice Principal and Chief Security Officer, Hassan Yakubu Makuku, who was shot when assailants broke into his residence on the school premises.
“It is sad that these children, aged approximately 12 to 17, were seized under the cover of darkness by gunmen who scaled the school fence, exchanged gunfire with police, and ultimately took these innocent daughters away into the forests. We are heartened that one student has escaped and returned home, but we remain deeply troubled about the safety and well-being of the 24 who remain in captivity.”
He called on the political class to unite and support security agencies in their efforts to defeat terrorism, warning that no stone should be left unturned in bringing culprits and their sponsors to justice.
According to him the recent killing of Muhammad Uba, a General in the army, by the terrorists and the gruesome attack of worshippers at a Church in Eruku, Kwara State, have further shown that more needs to be done to secure the lives and properties of our citizens wherever they may be living.
“If the terrorists can kill a whole serving army general in such a brazen manner I wonder how secure the average citizens of this country are? It truly shows that there are reasons for everyone to be concerned about their security.”
The Archbishop’s statement comes amid growing public concern over Nigeria’s insecurity, with various groups and individuals calling for decisive action to address the crisis.
President Tinubu has assured the safe return of the abducted Kebbi schoolgirls, directing security agencies to act swiftly. Vice President Kashim Shettima was asked to visit Kebbi State to sympathize with the state government and assure parents and guardians of the kidnapped schoolgirls that the government would ensure their quick release.
