Adebayo Adenrele
The Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Ekiti State Chapter, Reverend Emmanuel Aribasoye, has called on the Federal Government to be sincere and decisive in tackling the growing insecurity across the country, particularly in the northern region where many communities have been deserted due to persistent attacks.
Aribasoye made the call in Ado-Ekiti while speaking on the significance of the Easter season, urging authorities to confront terrorism, banditry and kidnapping headlong in order to end the continued shedding of innocent blood in the country.
According to him, the government must demonstrate greater commitment in addressing the security crisis, noting that many Nigerians have been forced to flee their homes due to rising violence.
He lamented that the problem of insecurity is no longer limited to the far North, adding that neighbouring states such as Kwara have also experienced similar challenges, with several villages abandoned by residents seeking safety.
The Cleric stressed that while security agencies were making efforts, government must be more sincere in its approach to completely eradicate the menace.
His words, “I just listened to a clip now about it. It is not only about our people in the far north. People in Kwara, our neighbours here, there are many villages now that have been deserted. There are several places that people have run away from because of the insecurity.
“My message is that the Nigerian government should be sincere in fighting against terrorism. They should be sincere. I know our security officers are trying their best, but the government should be sincere about actually confronting this issue of banditry, terrorism and kidnapping headlong.
“Enough is enough. This kind of carnage and shedding of innocent blood is enough. We have had too many of these.
“So our people in the north, let’s pray for them because we cannot go and say we want to confront them. The security agencies are the ones saddled with the responsibility of securing both the internal and external aggressions.
“So we are also praying for them because we know that many of these military personnel and police are losing their lives on the war front. We pray that God Almighty will protect them and grant them wisdom to navigate through this situation.
“And also a word to the politicians. We know that when election is coming, even when there is peace, some people prepare for war because there are those who will always do anything possible, humanly possible, to discredit leaders.
“We have seen this in the past, that those who want to come to power sometimes use everything humanly possible to make sure they discredit what the government in place is doing.
“And I am professing as a servant of God, anyone conspiring against the peace and stability of this country, as God is putting them to book, he will judge them. All those people that are scheming against this nation, it shall come back on them.
“So let our leaders be sincere. Let us continue to pray for peace. And our people in the northern parts, they have our word for God’s protection and our empathy. That God Almighty will console those who have lost their loved ones”.
While reflecting on the Easter message, the CAN chairman said the season symbolises the sacrificial love of Jesus Christ, who willingly gave his life for the redemption of humanity. He urged Christians to emulate Christ’s example by promoting peace, love and support for those in need, especially victims of violence and conflict.
