Nigeria is currently in the throes of crises. Before conversation ends on one, another more sinister one has emerged.

In the past week, it’s been news of one killing and abduction or the other – safe to say, Nigeria has become a killing field in one week.

From the abduction of Nigerian soldiers, killing of Brigadier-General Uba, to the abduction of 15 school girls in Kebbi State; the killings and abduction of worshippers in Kwara; to the abduction of over 100 pupils in Niger State.

The festering terrorists’ attacks in parts of the country and the mass killing of innocent Nigerians in recent times, has made many stakeholders and citizens to raise concerns.

The incidences have further affirmed the need for the federal government and the security agencies, to identify and deal decisively with the terrorists and their sponsors, as a matter of urgency.

“It is a matter of great concern that there has been a spike in the cases of terrorist attacks across the country in recent times, especially since the threat made by President Donald Trump,” Alfred Adewale Martins, Catholic Archbishop of Lagos, said on Friday, in a statement signed by Anthony Godonu, the director of social communication.

Martins called for more urgent measures to be taken in addressing the alarming rate of insecurity across the country.

The Catholic Archbishop of Lagos added that happenings in the country suggest that some people are making deliberate efforts to throw the country into chaos.

“How does one describe the manner in which the school girls were kidnapped, the brutal murder of a staff member, the school’s Vice Principal and Chief Security Officer, Hassan Yakubu Makuku, who was shot when assailants broke into his residence on the school premises,” Martins stated.

The cleric said that it was sad that the abducted children, aged approximately 12 to 17, were seized under the cover of darkness by gunmen who scaled the school fence, exchanged gunfire with police before making away with the innocent girls into the forests.

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“We are heartened that one student has escaped and returned home, but we remain deeply troubled about the safety and well-being of the 24 who remain in captivity,” Martins stated.

Also, Archbishop Martins vigorously condemned the kidnapping of a Catholic priest, Father Bobbo Paschal, from St. Stephen Catholic Church in Kushe Gudgu, Kaduna State.

“During this raid, Gideon Markus, the brother of another local priest, was killed as he tried to intervene,” said Martins, noting that the attacks demonstrate the brazen audacity of those who seek to terrorize Nigeria.

According to him, the recent killing of Muhammad Uba, a General in the army, by the terrorists and the gruesome attack on worshippers at a Church in Eruku, Kwara State, have further shown that more needs to be done to secure the lives and properties of our citizens wherever they may be living.

“If the terrorists can kill a whole serving army general in such a brazen manner, I wonder how secure the average citizens of this country are? It truly shows that there are reasons for everyone to be concerned about their security.”

The Archbishop warned that time was ticking fast and government at all levels along with the security agencies need to enforce their constitutional mandate of protecting the lives and property of its citizens, as they needed to act fast to regain the confidence and trust of the citizens.

While acknowledging the assurances that the military have been given assurances on their readiness to secure all Nigerians, he wondered why they continue to appear powerless in the face of the continuing and incessant attacks.

He therefore, tasked the Tinubu-led administration, as a matter of constitutional duty, to bring home all those who are in the hands of these brazen terrorists.

He equally urged the political class to unite and support the security agencies in their efforts to defeat the terrorists, warning that no stone should be left unturned to bring the culprits and their sponsors and justice.

Failure of the state

While the terrorists appear to be having a field day perpetrating violence on innocent citizens, many concerned stakeholders have highlighted the failure of the state to deliver on one of its most critical constitutional functions of protecting lives and property of Nigerians as the key factor fueling the incessant attack and killings.

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“I’m sorry to say this. I’ve said over the past 20 years that the situation will get worse,” Charles Ighele, presiding bishop and General Superintendent, Holy Spirit Mission, said.

According to him, Nigeria is like a bad factory producing bad products. Hence, the situation will get worse. “You don’t need to be a prophet to know this. It will get worse and the rich will not be able to sleep.”

Ighele also called for a complete overhauling of the country’s education system to address the growing gaps between the haves and have-not.

“So, education is a big agent of not only mental development, but civilization. So, once again, the schools need total overhauling. It’s a pity that our leaders cannot see this,” Ighele said.

He said that the current state of public schools is so deplorable that politically exposed individuals cannot send their children to state-owned schools.

According to him, Nigerians cannot go to their villages anymore because of the growing state of insecurity and banditry.

“If you employ two million soldiers and policemen, they cannot solve this problem; because the whole place is bad, and criminals are being churned out by the system,” Ighele said, indicating that the insecurity in the country will keep increasing – unless government take proactive measures.

On the issue of genocide in some parts of the country, Ighele said there is a clear case of targeted killings in the country.

He however added that the killings did not start today, but has been happening in the last 15 years. “There is a clear-cut genocide that started before Jonathan.”

The bishop also disclosed that the killings in Nigeria are being carried out for four different groups or phases.

Nexus between faith and national security

Cletus Orgu, former Provost, Life Theological Seminary, said there is a strong link between religious activities like prayers and national security.

“One, Christians, we need to pray. Two, Christian leaders need to speak out.”

The theologian said Nigeria needed prophetic people who would come out and stand in the gap for the country through their prayers.

He said religious leaders who command respect and large followings needed to speak out about the happenings in the country.

“Let them condemn what is happening and probably suggest ways out. Then every one of us need to be involved in one way or the other,” Orgu said.

James Akinadewo, Lagos bishop, Motailatu Church of God (C&S), said it was saddening that Nigerians are being killed in droves and the government appear not to be concerned.

“And the thing that is painful is that our government, they are not sincere. You cannot be denying all this that is happening.”

Akinadewo said that Nigerians are groaning and suffering. According to him, the book of lamentation was not written for Nigerians. “So, all this is happening; you see people being killed. Villages desolate; and we have a government?

The clergyman maintained that holiness and righteousness has taken flight in Nigeria; but charged Nigerians to collaborate to end the ongoing killings across the country.

“So, that’s why the church is standing and praying that this will work. We have prayed enough and now we need action from government,” Akinadewo said.

In response to the Christian genocide in Nigeria, Akinadewo said that humanity is under attack, because those being killed are humans – whether they are Christians or not.