.Kwara community seeks govt intervention over abducted church members
.Nigeria can rise above challenges, says CAN
The Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, Matthew Kukah, has warned that Nigeria is drifting dangerously, saying that the country could slide into a deeper crisis if urgent steps are not taken to restore trust, security and good governance.
In his 2026 Easter message issued on Sunday and titled Faith and Hope in Times of Turbulence, Kukah painted a grim picture of a nation weighed down by insecurity, economic hardship, and leadership challenges.
“Turbulence is Nigeria’s surname,” the cleric declared, describing the country as one trapped in a cycle of instability worsened by what he called “self-generated turbulence by the local elites.”
He said the worsening security situation had spiralled into a humanitarian crisis, with thousands killed, millions displaced, and several communities devastated by violence.
“After over 20 years and well over 20,000 corpses, the grim harvester still roams freely across the country,” he said.
“For now, our nation has become what the late Pope Francis referred to as a field hospital.”
Kukah warned that growing distrust in the military and other government institutions was pushing desperate citizens into dangerous alliances, including collaboration with criminal elements.
“Years of fatigue have lured ordinary citizens into the treacherous embrace of bandits,” he said, noting that some individuals now serve as informants, thereby “trading the future of their families and communities.”
Addressing governance issues, Kukah accused Nigeria’s political elite of failing to fulfil campaign promises, leaving millions of citizens in poverty and many young people without hope for a better future.
“The Nigerian landscape is still riddled with unredeemed promissory notes,” he said.
“Unemployment is smothering the dreams of young people in the cradles of their hope.”
He criticised short-term relief interventions, arguing that such measures reflected deeper systemic failures in governance and planning.
“Merely distributing food is an admission of the failure of our nation to develop robust and aggressive agricultural plans capable of ending hunger,” he said.
Despite the bleak outlook, Kukah urged Nigerians, particularly Christians, not to give in to despair but to remain steadfast in faith and moral responsibility.
“We may be struck down, but we cannot be destroyed,” he said, while emphasising the need to strike a balance between the right to self-defence and the pursuit of peace.
He also urged citizens to play active roles in rebuilding the country, rather than assigning blame solely to leaders.
“It is a great mistake for us to ignore what role each and every one of us can play,” he said.
“Let us not surrender to despair, as we could become guilty bystanders.”
In the meantime, the Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN has called on Nigerians to embrace hope, unity, and collective action, declaring that the country can overcome its current challenges and “rise again.”
CAN made the call in its Easter message issued on Sunday and signed by its President, Daniel Okoh, noting that the season symbolises renewal and offers a timely message for a nation facing hardship.
“At Easter, as we mark the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ, we are reminded of a simple, enduring truth: no matter how hard life has been, rising again is always possible,” the statement read.
The association observed that many Nigerians are currently grappling with economic and security challenges, resulting in widespread anxiety and declining hope among citizens.
“Across the country, people are weary. Families are anxious. Many do not feel safe; others are struggling just to get by. For some, hope has grown faint. But Easter tells us this is not the end,” CAN stated.
The Christian body urged leaders at all levels to demonstrate responsibility and empathy, stressing that citizens expect tangible improvements in their living conditions.
“For those in leadership, this is a test of purpose. People must feel leadership, not just hear it. They are looking for action, empathy, and visible efforts to improve their lives,” the statement added.
CAN also charged the Church to play a more active role in providing hope and guidance during difficult times, urging it to stand with those facing hardship and offer direction.
“For the Church, this is a moment to stand firm and speak clearly. People are searching for hope they can hold on to. The Church must be present, standing with the struggling, offering direction, and helping to light the way forward,” it said.
Addressing Nigerians, the association called for unity and resilience in the face of adversity, warning against fear and division.
“There may be those intent on keeping the rest of us in fear, but we must resist, not with panic or division, but with courage, solidarity, and a shared belief in one another,” the statement read.
Meanwhile, terrorists have attacked Ariko community in Kachia Local Government Area of Kaduna State, targeting two Christian worship centres during Easter celebrations, killing at least seven persons and abducting several others.
The incident, which occurred in the early hours of Sunday, threw the community into panic.
The councillor representing Awon Ward, under which Ariko District falls, Mark Bawa, confirmed the attack on Sunday via phone call.
According to him, the affected churches are First ECWA Church and St. Augustine Catholic Church, both located in Ariko.
“I am currently on my way to the community to ascertain the exact number of casualties. Some sources said seven persons were killed, while others claimed eight. I will provide an update once details are confirmed,” Bawa said.
He added that poor telecommunications coverage in the area may have allowed the attackers to carry out the assault without immediate response.
“The attackers came in large numbers. They surrounded the area and began shooting sporadically at worshippers. Several people were killed, and many others were taken away into the bush,” he stated.
Residents said the assailants operated for a prolonged period without resistance, raising further concerns about the vulnerability of rural communities in the state.
The latest attack comes barely two months after a similar incident in the Kurmin Wali community, also in Kachia LGA, where scores of worshippers were abducted during a church gathering in February 2026.
That incident sparked outrage and renewed calls for an improved security presence in Southern Kaduna.
When contacted, the Kaduna State Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Mansir Hassan, said he would provide further details regarding the tragic incident.
Furthermore, there is growing anxiety in Omugo community, Ifelodun Local Government Area of Kwara State, as residents have appealed to the Federal and Kwara State governments, as well as security agencies, to urgently intervene and secure the release of members of the Evangelical Church Winning All abducted two weeks ago.
The victims were reportedly kidnapped during a church activity, with their abductors said to be demanding a ransom of N500m.
The President of the Omugo Development Union, Thompson Oladimeji, described the situation as dire and called for swift and decisive action to rescue those in captivity.
He urged security agencies to deploy more resources, intensify rescue operations, and sustain patrols across vulnerable areas, particularly villages and major access routes within the community.
“We are appealing to the Federal Government, Kwara State Government, and all security agencies to intervene swiftly and decisively to secure the safe release of our people,” he said.
Oladimeji added that beyond rescue efforts, there was a need for coordinated support for affected families, many of whom are struggling emotionally and financially following the abduction.
“Our hearts are heavy. Families are in anguish, the community is traumatised, and fear now defines our daily lives,” he said.
He also called for improved security presence around critical locations such as worship centres and schools, warning that residents now live in constant fear of further attacks.
“We need a clear and sustainable plan to prevent a recurrence of such incidents in Omugo and neighbouring communities,” he added.
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