By Charles Igwe
Archbishop Ignatius Kaigama of Abuja has called on the newly appointed government to urgently address the issue of violence and insecurity in Nigeria, the most populous nation in Africa.
In an exclusive interview, Archbishop Kaigama expressed his concern following numerous reports of killings in a country that has long been plagued by terrorism, crime, ethnic tensions, corruption, and extremism.
According to a report by Beacon Consulting, a security risk management and intelligence organization, over 800 people were killed in attacks across Nigeria in June, with 239 abductions, including cases involving Catholic priests. Another report by Global Rights indicated that in April, at least 545 people were killed and 269 were abducted.
Despite President Bola Tinubu’s commitment to prioritize the fight against insecurity, the killings have persisted. Archbishop Kaigama, however, believes it would be premature to predict the failure of the Tinubu administration, but he emphasized the need for immediate action.
The archbishop called on the new government to take decisive steps to neutralize terrorists, apprehend criminals, defeat bandits, and eliminate kidnappers. He stressed that this is the minimum expectation of the citizens from their leaders. Additionally, he expressed concerns about the focus of Nigeria’s police and security forces, noting that they sometimes prioritize controlling political dissidents over addressing the pervasive violence.
Archbishop Kaigama, known for his outspokenness and charismatic leadership, has been serving as the Archbishop of Abuja since 2019. As he approaches his 65th birthday on July 31, he continues to advocate for peace and security in Nigeria.
