Nigerian Bishops: “Lasting peace cannot be achieved through silence or delay”
Catholic Bishops of Nigeria warn of escalating violence and call for urgent action to protect life and religious freedom
Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) echoes the urgent appeal of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria (CBCN), which warns of the deepening security crisis in the country and its devastating impact on Christian communities and other vulnerable groups.
In their statement titled “Peace in Nigeria: Moving from Fragility to Stability”, published on 25th November, the bishops denounce persistent violence that has claimed countless lives, destroyed homes, and displaced families, particularly in the northern and middle belt regions:
“The deplorable security situation in our nation Nigeria and the ongoing discourse heating up the nation’s fragile social and religious climate are truly worrisome. […] As murderous groups continue to unleash terror on defenseless citizens, we strongly condemn these atrocities that have brought untold anguish to many communities.”
They emphasize that these attacks have deeply affected Christian-majority areas:
“It is a matter of grave concern that several predominantly Christian communities, particularly in the Northern and middle belt regions of the country, have come under repeated and brutal attacks, resulting in heavy casualties and the tragic loss of many Christian lives.”
CBCN calls on Nigerian Government to act
The bishops insist that federal and regional authorities must fulfil their constitutional duty to protect life and ensure accountability:
“The Government has both the responsibility and the means to end this violence and must no longer allow impunity to prevail. […] Lasting peace cannot be achieved through silence or delay. It requires justice, courage, and a firm commitment to the sanctity of human life.”
In recent months, media narratives and international discussions about the violence in Nigeria have sometimes either downplayed the gravity of the situation or fueled polarisation, turning a national human tragedy into conflicting interpretations rather than focusing on the suffering of victims.
The bishops respond to this debate by urging clarity and balance in describing the crisis:
“Such prolonged unbearable conditions have given credence to allegations of ‘genocide’ in some quarters. Yet, mindful of the sacred dignity and inestimable worth of every human life, we are equally deeply concerned that Muslims and many other innocent citizens of diverse ethnic backgrounds have also been victims of this same cruelty that continues to desecrate our common humanity.”
Recent tragedies illustrate the scale of the crisis: the abduction of 265 students and teachers in Papiri (Niger State), the kidnapping of 25 young girls in Kebbi and 13 female farmers in Borno, and the massacre of more than 70 people in Southern Taraba and the displacement of thousands there, among others. These events, together with the killing of Brigadier General Musa Uba and several security personnel, reveal the extent to which criminality has penetrated national life.
The CBCN calls on the Nigerian Government to fulfill its constitutional duty to protect the lives and property of all citizens, investigate reports of delayed security responses, and ensure the safe return of abducted persons and displaced families.
Discrimination against Christians
The bishops raise concern over violations of the rights of Christian minorities in several northern states:
“The denial of land for the construction of churches, particularly within federal institutions, and the destruction of Christian places of worship, especially at the height of Boko Haram’s insurgency, are matters that demand urgent and decisive government action. The overreach of Sharia Courts in some states poses serious constitutional concerns, as it threatens Nigeria’s secular character and infringes on the rights of Christian minorities.”
They invoke the 2022 killing of Deborah Samuel Yakubu in Sokoto, for which they continue demanding justice, and note that Sharia-based morality enforcement groups like the Hisbah have harassed both Christians and Muslims:
“We once again demand justice for her, as impunity in such cases undermines the rule of law and endangers the rights of all citizens.”
A call to unity
The bishops insist that Nigerians must not fall into competition over suffering, but must stand together in defence of life:
“Rather than engaging in divisive arguments about who has suffered more losses, we should stand together in defending the sacredness of every human life and protecting the vulnerable… Peace is not the responsibility of a select few. It is the duty of all.”
ACN joins this appeal and urges the international community not to remain indifferent to this tragedy. Protecting Christian communities and safeguarding religious freedom are essential for Nigeria’s stability and future.
