Stop Increasing Terrorism, High Cost Of Living

The Bishop, Anglican Diocese of Enugu, Rt Rev (Prof) Samuel Ike, has decried the alarming rate of terrorism and killings in the country.

He called on the government to rise to its responsibility and tackle the ugly development.

The cleric who also lamented the persistent hike in petroleum products prices, advocated what he described as “national repentance.”

In his 2026 Easter message, Prof Ike expressed concern over Nigeria’s worsening security situation, citing the country’s ranking as the fourth most terrorised nation globally in the recent Global Terrorism Index report.

He expressed dismay over the continued loss of lives through terrorism, banditry, kidnapping and other violent crimes, stressing that such bloodshed runs contrary to the sacrificial love exemplified by Jesus Christ.

“The incessant shedding of human blood and wanton destruction of lives is unacceptable. The sacrifice of Christ teaches compassion, love, and peaceful coexistence,” he said.

The Bishop queried the effectiveness of the government’s security architecture, including the deployment of digital surveillance, drone intelligence, and Tucano jets, as well as the delayed implementation of state policing.

He also criticised what he described as excessive spending on foreign lobbying instead of addressing the root causes of insecurity.

The cleric also decried the sharp rise in fuel prices, noting that petrol currently sells between N1,350 and N1,410 per litre, while diesel is about N1,820 per litre.

He linked the surge to the ongoing Middle East conflict but questioned the state of Nigeria’s refineries despite huge investments in their rehabilitation.

“Where are our functional refineries? What has become of the funds committed to their turnaround?” he queried.

The cleric explained that the season starting from Palm Sunday through Maundy Thursday and Good Friday to Easter Sunday represents the core of the Christian faith, culminating in the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

He added that the resurrection is a powerful symbol of victory over suffering, sin, and death, offering hope for personal and national transformation.

He called on leaders at all levels to adopt servant leadership, promote unity across ethnic and social divides, and prioritise the welfare of the poor and vulnerable.

“The message of Easter is clear, through sacrifice, love, and faith, we can overcome even the darkest challenges as individuals and as a nation,” he added.