The Catholic Bishop of Ondo Diocese, Jude Arogundade, has decried the worsening state of insecurity in Ondo State, calling on Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa, to urgently take decisive action to curb the rising wave of kidnappings and protect residents across the state.
His concern followed the recent abduction of three health workers at a Comprehensive Health Centre in Akure, the state capital, in the early hours of Saturday.
LEADERSHIP reported that the victims were forced to transfer money from their bank accounts before being abandoned in a bush along the Ondo-Akure Expressway. They were later rescued by operatives of the Ondo State Security Network Agency, also known as Amotekun.
Speaking on Sunday after the Palm Sunday Mass at the Sacred Heart Cathedral in Akure, Arogundade expressed dissatisfaction with the current security architecture, noting that more needed to be done by both the state and federal governments to protect lives and property.
The bishop warned that criminal elements were gradually infiltrating Akure, the state capital, and occupying strategic areas unchecked.
“I don’t think our government is serious anymore. Akure is being invaded by strange people, and the government claims not to know what is happening. They are taking over strategic places while residents remain helpless,” he said.
He also criticised remarks by a government official who allegedly described terrorists as “prodigal sons,” describing the comment as insensitive and a gross understatement of the severity of the security crisis.
He added , “They (gunmen) have practically declared war against Nigeria and its government and all the law-abiding citizens of this country and you call them prodigal sons? Prodigal son in the bible didn’t kill his father, neither did he kill his brother to take over the property.
”Prodigal son went, he lost everything, and he was caring for the swine. He didn’t kill the owner of the swine to take over everything. So please, in a civilized country, that man should resign. What kind of nonsense is that?”
Arogundade lamented the loss of lives within his diocese, stressing that the continued killings and abductions were signs that the situation was worsening.
He called on residents to remain vigilant and prayerful, while insisting that the government must take full responsibility for securing the country.
“We must pray, but the government must act. Nigerians can no longer pretend that nothing is happening. The situation is becoming unbearable,” he said.
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