Catholic Bishops demand decisive action on insecurity, urge Tinubu to ensure arrest, prosecution of culprits

The Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria (CBCN) has called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and governments at all levels to take urgent and decisive action to stem Nigeria’s worsening insecurity, insisting that perpetrators and their sponsors must be swiftly arrested, prosecuted and punished.

In a communiqué issued at the end of its First Plenary Meeting held from February 19 to 26, 2026, at the CSN Resource Centre, Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria, Durumi, Abuja, the bishops decried what they described as persistent mass killings, displacement of communities and a growing climate of fear across the country.

The communiqué, titled “Leadership for the Common Good,” was signed by the CBCN President, Most Rev. Lucius Iwejuru Ugorji, Archbishop of Owerri, and Secretary, Most Rev. Donatus A. Ogun, Bishop of Uromi.

Insecurity: “Gunmen operate brazenly”

The bishops expressed support for the President’s declaration of a national security emergency and the recruitment of more security personnel, noting that the military had intensified operations against terrorists. However, they lamented that the country continues to witness “senseless massacre, mass burials, endless tears and grief.”

They cited attacks in Woro and Nuku villages in Kwara State where over 200 persons were reportedly killed, as well as ongoing assaults in parts of the North and Middle Belt involving students, worshippers and farming communities.

“In all, the gunmen operate brazenly, freely and unchallenged,” the bishops stated.

They warned that delays in prosecuting arrested terrorists and the reintegration of “repentant” insurgents into society or security structures create an impression of complicity.

“We urge governments at all levels to strengthen intelligence gathering and invest in modern surveillance technology,” the communiqué said, adding that culprits involved in insurgency, banditry and kidnapping, including their sponsors, must face the full weight of the law to deter others.

While acknowledging that the Federal Government had sought external assistance to address insecurity, the bishops maintained that Nigeria possesses the capacity to secure itself with sincerity of purpose and divine help.

Economic sabotage and illegal mining

Beyond insecurity, the CBCN raised concerns over what it described as socio-economic sabotage undermining the common good.

The bishops lamented that despite Nigeria’s vast mineral wealth, trillions of naira are lost annually to illegal mining and oil bunkering, often linked to criminal groups funding terrorism.

They criticised the continued borrowing by government “without much to show for the welfare of citizens” and alleged that taxes paid by individuals and businesses were not being adequately utilised for the common good.

To address illegal mining, the bishops recommended the deployment of drone technology and artificial intelligence to complement the activities of government “Mining Marshals” in monitoring remote and high-risk sites.

They also opposed the importation of food as a strategy to lower prices, arguing that it negatively affects local farmers. Instead, they called for improved security and targeted subsidies to enable farmers to increase domestic food production.

Leadership and electoral reforms

The bishops identified poor leadership and a distorted understanding of politics as major causes of Nigeria’s challenges.

They warned against the misuse of state institutions — including the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), security agencies and the judiciary — to manipulate electoral outcomes.

Citing data from INEC, they noted that only 23 per cent of registered voters participated in the 2023 general elections, while voter turnout in the recent FCT elections reportedly fell to seven per cent.

The bishops described the trend as alarming and called on the National Assembly to revisit electoral reforms to restore public confidence.

They demanded that the Electoral Act be strengthened to provide for mandatory real-time electronic transmission of results from the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) at polling units directly to the INEC Result Viewing (IReV) portal.

“Failure to do this will only aggravate voter apathy,” the communiqué warned, urging eligible voters to participate actively in future elections.

Lent, Ramadan and the call to unity

The bishops also highlighted the coincidence of the Christian Lenten season and the Muslim Ramadan fast, describing it as an opportunity for interfaith harmony.

They called on adherents of both religions to intensify prayer, charity and repentance, and to work together for peace and good neighbourliness.

Drawing on Catholic social teaching, including Pacem in Terris and Gaudium et Spes, the bishops stressed that leadership must prioritise the common good over sectional or selfish interests.

They affirmed that participation in political life is a moral obligation for Christians and urged leaders to ensure citizens have access to food, education, healthcare, security and other essentials necessary for human dignity.

Church events and new leadership

The CBCN also congratulated several dioceses on milestone celebrations and noted the proclamation of a Special Jubilee Year of St. Francis of Assisi by Pope Leo XIV, marking the 800th anniversary of the saint’s death.

During the plenary, the Conference elected new principal officers, with Most Rev. Matthew Man-Oso Ndagoso, Archbishop of Kaduna, emerging as President, and Most Rev. Alfred Adewale Martins, Archbishop of Lagos, as Vice President.

“A better Nigeria is possible”

In their concluding remarks, the bishops urged Nigerians not to give in to despair.

“A better Nigeria is possible,” they declared, calling for collective efforts to build a nation rooted in justice, accountability and service to the common good.

They emphasised that social transformation requires leaders with track records of probity and competence and citizens committed to defending human dignity.

“With the powerful intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of Hope and all Consolation, Queen of Nigeria, we shall get there,” the communiqué concluded.