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Religious Leaders in Nigeria Urge Security Agencies to Intensify Efforts in Addressing Insecurity

Members of the Nigeria Inter-Religious Council (NIREC). Credit: NIREC
Silas Isenjia

By Silas Isenjia

Jos, 28 August, 2024 / 6:18 pm (ACI Africa).

Members of the Nigeria Inter-Religious Council (NIREC) have expressed deep concern over the rising levels of insecurity in the West African country, and urged the government and security agencies in the country to intensify efforts in addressing the trend, which they say is worrying.

In a press release shared with ACI Africa on Tuesday, August 27, NIREC members reflect on the recent incidents in the West African nation including the killing of 13 farmers in Niger State, and the abduction of 150 people in Sokoto.

The Religious leaders also note a foiled bandit attack in Malumfashi LGA, Katsina State, among other incidents which they say occurred within a span of one week, reflecting a worrying trend that NIREC believes must be addressed.

“NIREC is greatly perturbed over the present exponential increase in the level of insecurity in the country. The rates at which banditry, abductions, and killings are increasing in the country is beyond alarming and there is the need to bring these heinous acts to an end,” they say.

The members of the Council that is co-chaired by the Sultan of Sokoto and President-General of the Nigeria Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), Alhaji Muhammadu Sa'ad Abubakar, and the President of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Archbishop Daniel Okoh urge the government and security agencies to address the menace swiftly.

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“There is a need to bring these heinous acts to an end,” NIREC members say in the statement signed by their Executive Secretary, Fr. Cornelius Afebu Omonokhua, emphasizing the importance of creating an environment where citizens can conduct their daily activities without fear.

The Religious Leaders have also expressed their solidarity with families of those who lost their lives in the recent attacks and offered prayers for the safe return of those still in captivity.

They call on all Nigerians to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities, noting that security is a collective responsibility.

Nigeria, which is Africa’s most populous nation has been experiencing insecurity since 2009 when the Boko Haram insurgency began with the aim of turning the country into an Islamic state.

Since then, the group, one of the largest Islamist groups in Africa, has been orchestrating indiscriminate terrorist attacks on various targets, including religious and political groups as well as civilians.

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The situation of insecurity in the West African nation has further been complicated by the involvement of the predominantly Muslim Fulani herdsmen, also referred to as the Fulani Militia, who have been clashing frequently with Christian farmers reportedly overgrazing land.

Silas Isenjia

Silas Mwale Isenjia is a Kenyan journalist with a great zeal and interest for Catholic Church related communication. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Linguistics, Media and Communication from Moi University in Kenya. Silas has vast experience in the Media production industry. He currently works as a Journalist for ACI Africa.

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