By Ayomide Otitoju
The Catholic Archbishop of Lagos, Most Rev. Dr. Alfred Adewale Martins, has called for immediate and decisive measures to tackle the growing wave of insecurity across Nigeria.
Archbishop Martins highlighted recent terrorist attacks and mass abductions as evidence of the urgent need for the federal government and security agencies to identify and neutralize terrorists and their sponsors.
He condemned the predawn attack on 17 November at the Government Girls Comprehensive Secondary School in Maga, Kebbi State, where 25 schoolgirls were abducted from their dormitory, as well as a similar attack on 21 November at St. Mary’s Catholic School in Papiri, Niger State. The archbishop noted that these incidents echo the 2014 Chibok girls’ abduction, which continues to haunt the nation.
In addition, he condemned the kidnapping of Father Bobbo Paschal from St. Stephen Catholic Church in Kushe Gudgu, Kaduna State, during which Gideon Markus, the brother of a local priest, was killed while attempting to intervene. Archbishop Martins described these attacks as demonstrating the “brazen audacity” of those seeking to terrorize the nation.
He expressed deep concern over the rising frequency and severity of terrorist attacks, citing the abduction of schoolgirls and the murder of school staff, including Vice Principal and Chief Security Officer Hassan Yakubu Makuku. He noted that the abducted students, aged 12 to 17, were taken under the cover of darkness after gunmen exchanged fire with police, with only one student reported safe so far.
The archbishop also referenced the killing of Army General Muhammad Uba and the violent attack on worshippers at a church in Eruku, Kwara State, as further evidence of the need to protect citizens nationwide. “If terrorists can kill a serving army general in broad daylight, how secure are ordinary Nigerians?” he questioned.
Archbishop Martins urged the government and security agencies to act swiftly to restore public confidence, emphasizing that political leaders must unite to support security forces in defeating terrorism. He called on the Tinubu administration to fulfill its constitutional duty by securing the release of all abducted individuals and ensuring that perpetrators and their sponsors are brought to justice.
