The President of the Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria, Most Reverend Lucius Ugorji, has expressed concern that Nigeria is currently under siege due to the persistent insecurity challenges plaguing the country.
In his Easter message delivered in Owerri, Imo State, Ugorji highlighted the alarming trend of kidnappings for ransom and the brutal killings of innocent Nigerians by criminals, stating that these acts speak volumes about the nation’s dire situation.
“We are celebrating Easter this year in an atmosphere that breathes pessimism and despair. The general insecurity of life and property is heightened by the rising wave of kidnapping for ransom, and the mindless slaughtering of innocent citizens by criminal gangs,” Ugorji said.
He further lamented, “We seem to be a nation under siege. No place seems safe: our homes, places of business, our highways and even the sacred precincts of places of worship.”
The cleric also criticized the government’s inability to tackle the escalating criminal activities, adding that the lack of political will has left citizens feeling forced to take matters into their own hands for their survival.
“Government’s lack of political will to address the rising criminality across the nation is pushing the populace to resort to self-help to defend their lives and sources of livelihood,” he stated.
This comes amid ongoing violent attacks in Benue and Plateau states by armed bandits and criminal gangs. Governor Hyacinth Alia of Benue State recently confirmed the deaths of 55 individuals in the Logo and Ukum Local Government Areas.
In Plateau State, Governor Caleb Mutfwang urged the residents of Zilkke village in the Bassa Local Government Area to stay alert and protect themselves following a series of deadly assaults.
These attacks included a recent raid on Zilkke village, where over 50 people were killed, many others injured, including women and children, and more than 40 homes were destroyed.
