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By Seyi Babalola
The Catholic Archbishop of Lagos, Most Rev. Alfred Adewale Martins, has issued a stark warning that Nigeria is slipping into chaos amid a surge in terrorist attacks and mass abductions across the country. He urged the Federal Government and security agencies to take urgent, decisive action to stem the rising wave of violence.
In a statement signed by the Director of Social Communications for the Lagos Archdiocese, Very Rev. Fr. Anthony Godonu, Archbishop Martins expressed deep concern over the predawn attack on Government Girls Comprehensive Secondary School, Maga, in Kebbi State, where 25 schoolgirls were abducted on November 17.
He also condemned a similar raid on St. Mary’s Catholic School in Papiri, Agwara Local Government Area of Niger State, on November 21, during which more students were abducted.
The Archbishop said the incidents revived painful memories of the abduction of the Chibok girls in April 2014, calling the recurrence of mass kidnappings “a national tragedy that continues to traumatize the nation.”
He also denounced the kidnapping of a Catholic priest, Father Bobbo Paschal, from St. Stephen Catholic Church in Kushe Gudgu, Kaduna State. During the attack, Gideon Markus, brother of another priest, was shot dead while attempting to resist the kidnappers.
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“These attacks demonstrate the brazen audacity of those who seek to terrorize our nation,” he said. “It is a matter of great concern that there has been a spike in terrorist attacks across the country in recent times.”
Citing the killing of Brigadier General Muhammad Uba and the attack on worshippers in Eruku, Kwara State, Martins warned that even top-ranking security officials are no longer safe, raising serious questions about the safety of ordinary citizens.
“If terrorists can kill a whole serving army general in such a brazen manner, I wonder how secure the average citizen is,” he said. “It truly shows that there are reasons for everyone to be concerned.”
He criticized the inability of security agencies to prevent repeated attacks despite assurances of their readiness, saying Nigerians were fast losing confidence in the government’s capacity to protect lives and property.
The Archbishop called on President Bola Tinubu’s administration to fulfill its constitutional responsibility by ensuring the release of all abducted persons, including the 24 students still in captivity from the Kebbi school attack.
He urged political leaders to unite behind security agencies and provide the support needed to dismantle terrorist networks, insisting that “no stone should be left unturned in bringing the culprits and their sponsors to justice.”
