Priscilla Ofunre, Ado-Ekiti
The Federal Government has been advised by Catholic Bishops to stop treating the issue of herdsmen’s killings and other crimes with levity, saying such disposition from the government was creating panic and fear among Nigerians.
Expressing their displeasure, the Bishops said it was sad that the Federal Government has not even had a clear pattern to secure the lives of the people and through which those perpetrating the acts could be apprehended and punished.
They also appealed to the Federal Government to halt the attempt to license and tax places of worship in the country, saying they suspected that the government had a hidden agenda about this proposed action.
The clergymen said these in a communique issued and read by the Metropolitan Bishop of Ibadan and the President of the Nigeria Catholic Conference, Ibadan Ecclesiastical Province, Gabriel Abegunrin, after their meeting held at the Pope John Paul II, Pastoral Centre in Ado-Ekiti, the Ekiti state capital, on Tuesday.
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The bishops called on governments in West African sub-region, to invest more in youth development to reduce crimes like illegal immigrants, prostitution, kidnapping and other social menaces.
“When this insecurity started, it was one corner of the country, but now it has gone round the geopolitical zones, what is government doing? If there is no security, there is no reason for government to exist.
“It is unfortunate that Nigerians wake up each day to lament woeful news of killings, lynching and kidnappings in the country. Many people including priests have fallen victims to this tragically insecure environment.
“The lack of clear pattern of punishing crimes and lip service commitment to the protection of lives and property on the part of the Federal Government and security agencies have made many Nigerians living in fear day to day.
“There seems to be no end in sight especially with allegations of killings by Fulani herdsmen being left unattended to.
“Time is running out for Nigeria if the security is not improved. We call on governments, traditional and other civil authorities to please save our country”, they begged.
On the crimes of alleged self abduction and jailing of priests for rape, the Bishops said these were manisfetation of the total rots in the Nigerian society and loss of family values, saying all the citizens must share the blame.
“It is sad that we are losing our core family values. We must take care of our children and imbibe the culture of being our brother’s keepers like we had before, because what is happening today has to do with our backgrounds.
“We know the economic situation calls for us to overwork ourselves, but parents must look for time to take care of their children.
“This is the only way we can rid our society of evils and have a brighter future”, they said.
The bishops commended state governments on their improved commitments to the payment of workers’ salaries and pensions.
On the Federal Government’s directive through the Ministry of Interior to license places of worships for celebration of marriages and issuing of marriage certificates, the bishops said such a proposal needed to be approached with caution and should be given a second thought, especially as concerned imposition of annual levies on these institutions.
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“Contemporary circumstances in Nigeria demand that government must approach religious matters with utmost caution so as not to be considered partisan and partial on national issues”.
The bishops warned the federal government against taking steps that could tinker with the freedom of the press, saying media should not be gagged under any guise.
“Only courageous pressmen can now come out boldly to talk. But must all work hard and remove whatever that is working against the freedom of the press.
“Government must give the press that full freedom for them to be able to speak the truth to power.”