The President of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Archbishop Daniel Okoh, and the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammed Sa’ad Abubakar, have jointly condemned the alarming surge in kidnappings and killings across the country. As co-chairmen of the Nigeria Inter-Religious Council (NIREC), they are calling on the government to take immediate and decisive action before the situation spirals further out of control.
In a statement released yesterday by the Executive Secretary of NIREC, Fr. Cornelius Afebu Omonokhua, the religious leaders expressed deep concern over the increasing levels of insecurity that have gripped the nation. “The Nigeria Inter-Religious Council (NIREC), under the leadership of His Eminence, Archbishop Daniel Okoh, and His Eminence, Alhaji Muhammed Sa’ad Abubakar, is greatly perturbed over the present exponential increase in the level of insecurity in the country,” the statement read.
The statement highlighted several recent incidents that underscore the severity of the situation, including the tragic murder of 13 farmers in Shiroro Local Government Area of Niger State, the abduction of 150 people in Gobir District, Sokoto State, and the brutal killing of the District Head of Gatawa in Sokoto State. In Katsina State, a bandit attack in Malumfashi Local Government Area was narrowly averted, adding to the growing list of violent incidents that have plagued the country in recent weeks.
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“These spates of attacks within a window period of one week are very disheartening and of great concern,” the statement continued. NIREC is urging the government and security agencies to step up their efforts to eradicate these heinous acts, ensuring that citizens can go about their daily lives without fear or apprehension.
The council also extended its condolences to the families of those who have lost their lives in these tragic events and offered prayers for the safe return of those still held in captivity.
In a final appeal, NIREC called on all Nigerians to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities to the authorities. “Security is a collective effort and not just the responsibility of the government alone,” the statement concluded.
