By Oluseye Ojo
The Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN) has called on President Bola Tinubu to step up as the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces and take urgent action against the growing tide of banditry and terrorism that has led to widespread bloodshed across the nation.
Speaking yesterday in Ibadan, PFN President, Bishop Francis Wale Oke described the escalating violence, particularly in Benue State, as a “mindless, satanic act” that contradicts God’s will for Nigeria.
With hundreds of lives lost to these relentless attacks, he stated: “The killings across the nation, especially in Benue, are heartbreaking. The Federal Government must live up to its responsibility. Nigerians voted for a Commander-in-Chief, not a Mourner-in-Chief.”
The position came amid fresh reports of violence in Kwara, Benue, and Sokoto states, where at least 21 individuals were killed by suspected bandits.
The PFN drew attention to the gruesome pattern as part of an alarming wave of violence, with increased attacks also noted in Plateau, Enugu, and other regions.
Oke expressed frustration over the government’s failure to decisively address the crisis, arguing that the narrative blaming foreign terrorists is deceptive.
“The idea that the killers are foreigners doesn’t hold water. The Nigerian government must defend the country’s territorial integrity. They know who is behind the killings but are not sincere enough to act.
They lack the political will,” he said.
The PFN President also criticised National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, for saying that the Tinubu administration inherited a “bastardised situation” dating back 15 years.
He urged the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, to move beyond rhetoric and take concrete action to restore security.
“Someone is clearly misleading the President, and if he truly doesn’t know what’s happening, then those responsible should be held accountable and be replaced with capable individuals, who genuinely care about the Nigerian people. The killings must stop.
“There are sacred cows being protected because they are seen as kinsmen from across the border. The government must rise above ethnic sentiments and decisively root out those behind these atrocities. Let Nigerians live in peace—whatever it takes.
“This is the demand of the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria. We are tired of the killings,” he emphasised.