Religious Leaders Decry Escalating Violence, Demand Government Action on National Security
In a powerful and urgent address, the President of the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN), Bishop Francis Wale Oke, has declared that the Christian community and all conscience-driven Nigerians will not remain silent in the face of what he described as a relentless campaign of killings across the nation. The spiritual leader’s statement comes amid a palpable sense of national anxiety over security, a situation that has seen a court extend the detention of several suspects linked to widespread unrest. Bishop Oke emphasized that the continuous bloodshed, particularly in farming communities and the northern regions, bears the hallmarks of a systematic crisis that demands immediate and decisive intervention from the highest levels of government.
The PFN President’s condemnation highlights a critical juncture for the Nigerian marketplace, where economic stability is intrinsically tied to the safety of its people. He argued that the pervasive insecurity not only claims lives but also cripples local commerce, discourages investment, and threatens the very fabric of societal trust. This sentiment echoes the concerns of many business owners who have watched as economic activity stalls in regions plagued by violence. The recent push for Chinese investments in lithium and other solid minerals, for instance, is shadowed by these security challenges, as international partners require a stable environment for their capital to flourish. The nation’s economic potential, from its bustling urban centers to its resource-rich hinterlands, cannot be fully realized while citizens live in fear.
Drawing a stark contrast to the turmoil in other parts of the country, Bishop Oke pointed to the necessity of proactive governance, akin to recent initiatives where the Lagos State Government cleared illegal structures to restore order and safety. In one such operation, photos of LASG clearing encroachments demonstrated a commitment to urban planning and security. The religious leader suggested that a similar, unwavering resolve is needed at the federal level to confront the perpetrators of violence. He called for a comprehensive security strategy that goes beyond reactive measures, one that addresses the root causes of the conflicts and fosters sustainable peace.
The call for action comes as communities grapple with daily disruptions. In many areas, residents have experienced the frustration of having traffic diverted from coastal and major inland routes due to security operations or threats of attacks. These logistical nightmares are a microcosm of the larger national crisis, symbolizing how the freedom of movement and the simple act of going about one’s daily business have become fraught with danger. The situation has reached a point where, again, a court extended the remand order for individuals allegedly involved in orchestrating violence, underscoring the judicial system’s ongoing struggle to manage the scale of the problem.
Bishop Oke’s message is clear: silence is complicity. He urged all faith-based organizations, civil society groups, and patriotic citizens to raise their voices in a unified demand for peace and security. The promise of Chinese investments in lithium, a sector with the potential to significantly boost the national economy, along with all other developmental projects, remains precarious without a foundational guarantee of safety. The PFN’s stance is not merely a complaint but a clarion call for a national reawakening. The leadership insists that the government must leverage every resource at its disposal to protect every Nigerian, ensuring that the nation’s journey toward progress is not continually undermined by violence. Until the killings stop and stability is restored, the collective voice of the people, led by moral authorities, will continue to resonate, demanding accountability and action.
