Catholic Bishops under the Ecclesiastical Province of Ibadan comprising Ibadan Archdiocese, Oyo, Ondo, Ilorin, Ekiti, and Osogbo Dioceses have berated the Federal Government for allegedly failing to ensure the security of lives and property of Nigerians.
In a communique read by Metropolitan Bishop of Ibadan and President of the Nigeria Catholic Conference, Ibadan Ecclesiastical Province, Gabriel Abegunrin, after their meeting held at the Pope John Paul II Pastoral Centre in Ado Ekiti, Ekiti State, on Tuesday, the bishops lambasted the Federal Government for treating the menace of violent Fulani herdsmen with levity.
According to them, the government’s reluctance to tackle the menace was spreading panic among the populace.
The bishops said that the government must be alive to its responsibility and collaborate with traditional institutions to stem the tide of anarchy that the country was fast drifting into.
They urged the government to adopt a clear-cut strategy to reverse the trend of killing, lynching, kidnapping, and brigandage that have taken over the country.
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Failure to do this, they said, would ensure that perpetrators of dastardly criminal acts continue to walk freely and send the wrong message that the government was incapable of securing the lives and property of ordinary Nigerians.
“When this insecurity problem started, it was in one corner of the country, but now it has gone round the entire geopolitical zones of the country. If there is no security, there is no reason for government to exist”, the Catholic bishops said.
“It is unfortunate that Nigerians wake up each day to lament woeful news of killings, lynching, kidnappings and brigandage in the country. Many people, including priests, have fallen victims to this tragically insecure environment.
“Lack of clear pattern of punishing crimes, and lip service commitment to the protection of lives and property on the part of the Federal Government and security agencies, have made many Nigerians to live in fear on daily basis.
“There seems to be no end in sight, especially with allegations of killings by Fulani herdsmen being left unattended to. Time is running out for Nigeria if the security is not improved. We call on governments, traditional and other civil authorities to please save our country.
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