From Jude Chinedu, Enugu
The Bishop of the Anglican Diocese of Enugu, Prof. Samuel Ike, has criticised President Bola Tinubu’s handling of the nation’s worsening security challenges, calling for urgent reforms and a probe of top security officials.
Speaking at a press conference yesterday, ahead of the second session of the 19th Synod of the Diocese holding from June 26 to 29, at St. Paul’s Church, China Town, Enugu, with the theme “Living by every word of God,” the cleric demanded the creation of state and community policing to tackle insecurity and urged the president to investigate alleged complicity among the security chiefs.
Ike, who decried the rising insecurity across the country, said the current structure of the security architecture had failed to address the scourge of terrorism and banditry.
“We urge the president to cause, whether by legislative agenda or whatever process, the creation of state and community police by an act of parliament.
“This will help to end the current insecurity situation in the country and remove Nigeria’s name from the global terrorism index.
“That is not the image of a true Nigerian; it is robbing in the reputation of an average Nigerian. It’s really affecting the psyche of every Nigerian in every airport across the world,” he said.
He called on President Tinubu to go beyond condolence visits to victims of herdsmen attacks and take decisive steps to unearth what he described as “strongly rumoured complicity and collusion” between top security officials and insurgents.
“The president should also investigate the wide rumours that our top security chiefs are turning this war against insurgency and terrorism into honey pots of multi-million business empires. We’ve read about security chiefs who diverted millions of Naira meant to fight insurgency.
“The president should take decisive action and where these officers are found negligent, complicit and guilty of these allegations, they should be prosecuted and flushed out.
“We demand that the president should place a perform or be sacked order on the service chiefs. We also urge the president to cause a release of all the drones, including Tucano Jets, the country spent billions and bought for the purpose of the war against insurgency.
“The information we have is that a lot of those jets are not being used. So, why did we waste money buying the equipment while the reason for which they were purchased is still prevalent?”
Turning to the nation’s democratic journey, the cleric congratulated Nigeria on 26 years of uninterrupted civilian rule but lamented that the dividends of democracy were yet to trickle down to ordinary Nigerians.
He expressed concern over the deepening poverty, inflation, and rising cost of living, with nearly half the population living below the international poverty line of $2.15 per day.
“Government agencies with the statutory functions in the country must do something to regulate these things. The fight against corruption seems to be weak, tepid and timid.
“And the lifestyles of most of our leaders are not helping matters. The spending spree among those in government are clearly fuelling corruption by the day.
“If our leaders should cut their appetite for flamboyant lifestyle, and live in tandem with the prevalent situation in the country, it will change a lot about the perception by the masses. We need a change of mindset and attitudinal change to move Nigeria forward.”
Speaking on the synod’s theme, Bishop Ike said it aligns with the church’s revival mission under his leadership, adding that national revival is also possible if Nigerians embrace moral and spiritual reawakening.
“When a nation or society begins to experience revival, there’s a palpable experience of God’s presence, power and glory. There’s also joy, peace and prosperity among the people.
“And these can only happen when the people fulfil the following three R conditions: Renewed obedience through the word of God; repentance from every known sin and relentless in making self-induced prayers,” he said.