The Catholic Archbishop of Lagos, Most Rev. Alfred Adewale Martins has said that the renewed wave of killings and kidnappings in Plateau State and other parts of the country by terrorists suggests that the government is gradually losing the battle against insecurity.
A statement issued by the Director, Social Communications, Rev. Fr. Anthony Godonu, quoted the Archbishop as saying failure of the security agencies to urgently bring the culprits to book and secure the lives of Nigerians, particularly the recent killings in Plateau and Kaduna States, may leave the hapless citizens with no better option but to resort to self-help to protect their lives and properties.
The Prelate was reacting to the killings on the eve of Christmas and the recent protest walk being embarked upon by some religious leaders and citizens of Plateau State to express their sorrow and anger at the inability of government and security agencies to protect them from the unprovoked killing of their kith and kin by gun-trotting terrorists. He said that the only way to assuage the anger and disappointment of the people is to identify the culprits and their sponsors and ensure they are made to face the law.
“We must first of all extend our condolences to the families that have suffered from the attacks as we pray the Lord to grant eternal rest to the dead and consolation and healing to those they have left behind.
The heart of everyone with human feelings must bleed as we watched the corpses of innocent citizens lined up and buried in mass graves after being hacked down by heartless people who have been operating with impunity in many communities. The killings have continued because there have not been any repercussion on those who carry them out. All we see after each round of killing is government officials condemning the killing and promising that the perpetrators would be brought to book. The cliché is beginning to sound like a broken record and people take such promises with a pinch of salt because no one has actually heard of anyone being taken to court or convicted for such heinous crimes. This cannot be allowed to go on. The people who are victims of these crimes want to see real action taken to bring justice to their dear ones. Peoples’ anger can be assuaged only if those found culpable are brought to book. We want to know who the perpetrators are and all those who sent them on these inglorious missions. Until these are done the general impression would seem like the culprits are being shielded by powerful forces in and out of government circles.
Reacting to the insinuation that the killings were targeted mainly at Christians, the Archbishop said:
If the killings happen in areas that are predominantly Christian in population and there are no efforts made to arrest the situation, as is the case today, people will feel entirely justified to come to such a conclusion. So, government and security agencies have the duty of proving them wrong by ensuring that no stone is left unturned in bringing the perpetrators to book and restoring the confidence of people that they would be protected wherever they chose to live and whatever religion they choose to practice. I believe that there is no true religion that supports or preaches such atrocious shedding of innocent blood even if some of their adherents abuse their religion in that way. The onus therefore also lies on true believers and their leaders to denounce such killings and take proactive steps to bring such mindless killing to an end.
He said further: The consequences of religious discord are very grave and so leaders of all religious groups must do all that is necessary to help bring these atrocities to an end. I believe NIREC also has a big role to play in dealing with such matters that breed suspicion and are very divisive.
