The Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion, Ecclesiastical Province of Kwara State, has urged the Federal Government to rehabilitate and support all victims of terrorism and insurgency across the country as a matter of urgency.
Archbishop Israel Amoo of the Ecclesiastical Province of Kwara State made the call in his message to the provincial council’s meeting of the bishops held in Ilorin, the state capital.
According to him, the concept of IDP camps where helpless Nigerians are abandoned and forced to relocate back to their villages and towns without adequate provisions is not good enough and sins against God.
“The present harsh economic reality in Nigeria today is having a deep toll on society and fuelling crimes, poverty, drug abuse, cultism, kidnapping, poor performance in our schools, inequality, terrorism and corruption.
“No wonder Nigerians in their millions had to protest against bad government recently. There is no doubt that when one is hungry, he is equally angry.
“The situation in our nation has taken a proportion that is difficult to contain. Insecurity in Nigeria has become a great concern to all well-meaning citizens and foreigners.
“While we are grateful for the sacrifice of our security agencies and operatives in fighting terrorism, kidnapping and insurgency at all levels, one wonders whether there is something we are not getting right.
“There is an ongoing programme to rehabilitate, de-radicalise and integrate the so-called repentant terrorists. The project is more of an effort to recycle and encourage terrorists.
“This is another means of offering concessions to terrorists. Despite this deradicalisation and rehabilitation, terrorism and insurgency have been on the increase. Any efforts to rehabilitate terrorists and insurgents require proper planning and careful execution,” he declared.
The archbishop added that while the economic downturn prevails, there will be social disturbance such as what we are witnessing when citizens forcefully empty government’s warehouses.
“There will also be general disorder, deep poverty and moral decadence. In the midst of these, rather than fashioning out the best and most sustainable ways out of the quagmire, some of our political leaders are living luxurious lifestyles, and encouraging the poor to continue making sacrifices.
“However, the purchase of luxurious cars by the National Assembly members at a time like this is totally unacceptable and uncalled for when the majority of our youths are jobless and frustrated. These vehicles bought by the National Assembly members will be maintained and fuelled by the government of Nigeria,” he added.
The archbishop, while appreciating the move by the Federal Government in encouraging the citizens to embrace agriculture and foreigners to invest in Nigeria, warned that without curtailing the scourge of insecurity, there will be no meaningful progress and response.
Archbishop Amoo noted that the hostel project at Malete by the province is ongoing and presently at the lintel level.
He congratulated all the Anglican communion in Kwara State for the celebration of the 50th anniversary of the birth of the Kwara Diocese.
Anglican Church tasks Nigerian government to support victims of terrorism, insurgency
