By Chidinma Ewunonu-Aluko
Most Rev. Emmanuel Badejo, the Catholic Bishop of Oyo Diocese, has called for an end to impunity in Nigeria’s security crisis, as Christians celebrate Easter.
Badejo made the call on Wednesday in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Ibadan.
Referencing Jesus’s promise to give life to the full, according to John 10:10, the bishop emphasised that Easter was for life and not death.
Badejo remarked that leaders who failed to protect citizens and keep promises without fulfillment, deserved no respect or recognition.
“Why are our leaders holding rousing rallies and conventions while our compatriots are being slaughtered?
“How come the most populated country in Africa has become so wickedly helpless while criminality escalates?
“Pope Leo said on Palm Sunday that God doesn’t listen to the prayers of war mongers.
“On that same day, innocent Nigerians were massacred in Jos, Kaduna and now Zamfara and who knows where next?
“Let’s understand that God will not listen to leaders who watch their subjects die needlessly either,” he said.
According to Badejo, the current Nigerian situation is evil and only evil people are not outraged by it.
He enjoined leaders at all levels to act decisively to crush terrorists and restore sanity, calling for the security of Nigerian lives as the only acceptable Easter wish.
“Jesus has not risen at all in the lives of leaders who look on while avoidable death is inflicted on innocent citizens.
“What depraved leaders would hang on to power and celebrate conventions when death is daily inflicted on their people without any resistance.
“Given the alleged warning issued by terrorists only days ago that they would unleash terror all over the country, it should be a matter of personal shame and grievance for all our leaders that these killings still occurred as predicted and unhindered.
“Woe to those that shed innocent blood of God’s People and greater woe to those who abet them.
“Easter is an indictment of all such agents of death whether they are so directly or indirectly,” he said.
The bishop questioned the disparity in the government’s response to different groups.
He worried that security agents are “vigorous in crushing and arresting protesters, drug addicts and internet fraudsters but suddenly become weak as jelly with terrorists, kidnappers and murderers”.
He urged President Bola Tinubu to act urgently, saying “Nigerians are simply fed up with empty promises, palliatives, condolences and apologies.
“The president can no longer stand aloof, he must act decisively and urgently with all his authority and mandate, otherwise he must call all Nigerians to defend themselves whichever way they can,” he said.
The catholic bishop however, urged Christians to remain steadfast in faith, prayers and unity.
“God who raised Jesus from the dead in spite of the intrigues of Pilate and his soldiers shall arise and confound His foes,” Badejo said. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
Edited by Maureen Atuonwu
