Categories: AFRICAFeaturedLatest

Bandits Will Overpower Nigeria if Government Continues to Dialogue, Cardinal Onaiyekan Warns

Prominent cleric and former Catholic Archbishop of Abuja, John Onaiyekan has warned that Nigeria will soon be overpowered by bandits if the government continues to dialogue with non-state actors.

The Nigerian government’s failure to address rising insecurity according to the cleric has emboldened “a large gang of criminals that are almost taking over our country”.

Onaiyekan stated this in Minna the Niger State capital where bandits abducted dozens of children from a school during an attack on Wednesday, the latest in a series of terrorists attacks in the country’s northern states.

Sheikh Gumi, a prominent Islamic cleric has in some instances significantly featured in negotiating the release of some hostages, meeting the bandits in the forests on several occasions.

But Onaiyekan shortly after an ordination ceremony on Saturday warned that the government will soon be overpowered if it does not take stringent actions to end banditry.

“We should not be living in a country where you are always with your heart in your mouth when you are moving from one place to another; where children cannot study in peace in their schools and where bandits — whatever you call them — come from nowhere and cart away 20, 30 children and their teachers into the bush and sit somewhere and boast, calling for dialogue,” he said.

“And even government agencies talking about reaching out. It is not the right thing to do. It is about time we have a government that takes care of its people.

“This is nothing political; it has nothing to do with PDP, APC, and it has nothing to do with Islam or Christianity. Not even with our tribal differences. We have a large gang of criminals that are almost taking over our country. The government should either do it or allow others to do it.

“If the government cannot secure the lives of the people, they should call for a kind of national cohesion. They should stop pretending that they are the ones ruling. In some countries when these incidents happen, it gets to a stage where the government will call for national unity where everyone comes on board to proffer solutions.

“If the government continues this way, it will get to a stage where non-state actors will take over.”

By Abel Ejikeme

Follow us on:

Abel Ejikeme

Recent Posts

Former Kogi Governor Yahaya Bello Released from Custody After Meeting Bail Conditions

Yahaya Bello has regained freedom after meeting stringent bail terms in a corruption case brought…

1 hour ago

Peter Obi Stands Surety for Dele Farotimi, Condemns Nigerian Legal System’s Inequalities

Peter Obi stood surety for activist Dele Farotimi, who may be released from custody on…

1 hour ago

Nigerian Military Promotes 108 Officers, Nabs Terror Leader Linked to Sokoto Monarch’s Murder

The Nigerian Army has promotes 108 officers while intensifying operations against terrorists, arrest Sokoto terror…

1 hour ago

Petrol Prices Drop to N939.5/Litre as Dangote Refinery Reduces Petrol Price, Marketers Seek Bulk Supplies

Following petrol pump price cuts by Dangote Refinery, major marketers have demanded bulk vessel supply…

1 hour ago

Vandals Strike Shiroro-Katampe Transmission Line, Plunge Parts of FCT Into Darkness

Suspected vandals disrupted power in FCT by targeting the Shiroro-Katampe line, prompting swift TCN response.

2 hours ago

Nigerian Government Approves 50% Fare Reduction for Yuletide Travellers Amid Rising Transport Costs

Amid soaring holiday transport fares, FG has partnered with unions to slash costs for travellers…

2 hours ago