Catholic Bishops Condemn Worsening Insecurity, Hardship in Nigeria

By Our Reporter

Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria (CBCN) has raised fresh concern over worsening Insecurity and economic hardship across the country, urging federal government to take decisive action to address the pressing issues.

CBCN President, Lucius Ugorji lamented at the CBCN 2025 First Plenary Meeting in Abuja that rising violence and deteriorating economic conditions have left millions of Nigerians struggling to survive.

Ugorji cited the growing activities of Boko Haram, other terrorists North and South, highlighting the alarming rise in kidnappings, particularly targeting religious figures.

“As we speak, Fr. Philip Ekweli and a major seminarian remain in captivity after being abducted on March 3, while Fr. Sylvester Okechukwu was kidnapped and brutally murdered just a day later,” he said.

“Communities are being terrorised, displaced, and impoverished, while criminal gangs engage in the horrific trade of harvesting human parts for sale or rituals.”

Ugorji wondered why the government has not deployed advanced technology to enhance security operations.

“Enough of this senseless brutality! Enough of this barbarism!” he declared.

He painted a grim picture of widespread hardship, worsened by skyrocketing inflation and declining purchasing power; citing World Bank data showing that 129 million Nigerians now live below the poverty line, and the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) report of food inflation at nearly 40 per cent.

“Many families now spend up to 65 per cent of their income on food alone, leaving little for healthcare, education, or other basic necessities.”

Ugorji acknowledged government measures such as student loan schemes and palliatives, but described them as insufficient because millions of Nigerians continue to suffer under crushing economic pressure.

He reiterated that with youth unemployment at 53 per cent, joblessness is driving many youths into crime and violence, linking the lack of economic opportunities to the rise in kidnapping, cybercrime, cultism, and ritual killings.

“Unless and until the government creates massive job opportunities, it may continue to lose the war against insecurity and violent crimes.”

He highlighted the deplorable conditions in correctional facilities, where overcrowding, poor sanitation, and inhumane treatment are rampant, and sought urgent reforms, including expedited trials and improved rehabilitation programmes.

Regardless, Ugorji urged citizens not to lose hope, and called for collective efforts to demand better governance and accountability from political leaders.

“We must always stand up against bad governance and insist on transparency.”

Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) President Daniel Okoh in his own address counselled Christians to re-establish or strengthen their relationship with God and reflect on their connection with others in the light of God’s will.

“It inspires us to give courageous leadership to efforts geared towards drastically reducing the level of wickedness in Nigerian society and to rekindle hope in others for a new nation of abundance and joy,” he stressed.

He acknowledged that Nigeria has been plagued with hopelessness and despair for a long time, with many citizens at their breaking point due to hunger, poverty, insecurity, and disease.

Archbishop Ignatius Kaigama of Abuja urged Nigerians to resist the devil’s influence, warning against societal ills such as ethnic and religious selfishness, marital infidelity, youth violence, and criminal activities.

Said he: “The devil and his agents have no problem with the lack of work, while millions of Nigerians remain unemployed.

“As Nigerians, we still find ourselves in a wilderness of economic hardship, insecurity, corruption, and social division, with many of our brothers and sisters burdened with despair, questioning whether hope is still possible.

“The Lord reminds us that He is a covenant-keeping God. Just as He brought the Israelites into a new era of grace; just as He led Jesus out of the wilderness to proclaim the Good News, so too can He lead Nigeria into a new dawn of justice, peace, and prosperity.”