In the face of escalating insecurity in Nigeria, Archbishop Ignatius Kaigama of Abuja has expressed deep concern and criticized the federal government for its perceived failure to protect the country’s citizens.
The Archbishop, a leading prelate, attributed the rising insecurity to the activities of Boko Haram insurgents, herdsmen militia, bandits, kidnappers, and the so-called ‘unknown gunmen’ operating across various regions.
Archbishop Kaigama pointedly blamed the federal government, stating that it has “lost the capacity to rein in the perpetrators of violence who now terrorize the people in different parts of the country at will.”
The Archbishop’s remarks come in the wake of the recent kidnapping of two Catholic priests, Father Kenneth Kanwa and Father Jude Nwachukwu, in Plateau State.
The Congregation of Missionaries Sons of the Immaculate Heart of Mary (CMF), also known as Claretian Missionaries, reported the abduction of the priests on February 1.
Plateau State has been a hotspot for violent conflicts between predominantly Muslim herders and mostly Christian farmers.
Experts have described the surge in kidnappings across Nigeria as an epidemic, with figures from the Civil Society Joint Action Group revealing that 17,469 Nigerians have been abducted since 2019.
The Executive Director of the Civil Society Legislative and Advocacy Centre, Auwal Musa Rafsanjani, shared that 2,423 persons have been killed and 1,872 others abducted since the inauguration of President Bola Tinubu in May 2023.
Archbishop Kaigama highlighted the systemic failure of the country’s security apparatus, particularly emphasizing the helplessness of Nigerian security forces in dealing with kidnappers.
He stated, “Kidnappers, in particular, have put the Nigerian security establishment to shame. They work at will, publicly demand ransoms, and even that does not ensure safety or the return of the kidnapped individuals.”
The Archbishop stressed the need for urgent action to address the root causes of kidnappings and banditry, emphasizing that a collapse in public safety and order is a real and present risk.
While expressing optimism that Nigeria can recover from the brink, he called on the government to build a robust security apparatus and address the citizens’ concerns.
Archbishop Kaigama’s comments echo those of Bishop Mathew Hassan Kukah, who recently criticized President Tinubu’s handling of the country’s challenges, citing rampant killings, kidnappings, secessionist attempts, and piracy.