CHRICED Expresses Worry Over Attacks On Catholic Priests, Insecurity

The Resource Centre for Human Rights & Civic Education (CHRICED), a Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO), has expressed worry over the current spate of insecurity and attacks on Catholic priests and clerics in the country.

In a statement issued on Monday by the Executive Director, Ibrahim Zikirullahi lamented, that the emerging pattern of religious leaders and clerics being targeted for attacks, kidnapping, or outright elimination has become one too many, as not a day passes without the news.

Zikirullahi noted from the kidnapping of the Methodist Prelate in Abia, Samuel Kanu to the recurring abduction of Catholic Church priests, the religious dimension of recent violence necessitates introspection and a clear shift in strategy by those tasked with protecting lives and property. 

He said that the increasing pattern if not resolutely confronted, could serve as a catalyst for serious religious conflict in the country.

"As things stand, not a single day passes without citizens being subjected to violent attacks by a variety of criminal elements that leave a trail of sadness, tears, and blood.

"While the escalating problem of insecurity knows no sectarian victim, there is data to show that in recent attacks Catholic Priests have come out worse off when counting the human costs of the insecurity.

"CHRICED is disturbed that spiritual leaders and clerics who should be revered, respected and honoured are being targeted and murdered by mindless criminals. 

"We are deeply concerned about Nigeria's rising wave of insecurity and its implications for political stability, we call on officials saddled with the task of protecting lives and property to urgently change the fruitless strategy of waiting to see if the attacks and general wave of insecurity would end on their own. 

Similarly, CHRICED condemns the Federal Government’s feeble posture in the face of the never-ending assault on the sanctity of human life. Given the government's failure to take decisive action to halt the country's rampant insecurity.

"We call on the National Assembly and the Federal Executive Council to uphold their oaths of office by taking drastic measures to save precious lives, and our democracy and restore effective governance.

"We urge all well-meaning organizations in the country and around the world to speak out and put pressure on President Muhammadu Buhari to end the current lack of a clear vortex of authority in dealing with insecurity in the country. 

"However, if President Buhari believes he is too weak or tired to take charge of protecting citizens' lives and properties, as he was elected to do, the best option is for him to resign as President rather than subject the country to its current travails, where it is sliding towards the status of a failed state where impunity reigns and people are at the mercy of bandits and insurgents.

"The government has a responsibility to protect all citizens; the sooner it begins to fulfil this responsibility, the better for our country's stability."