Easter: Kaigama Laments Nigeria’s ‘Cruelty Of Good Friday’

As Christians worldwide celebrate the resurrection of Christ, the Catholic Archbishop of Abuja, Most Rev. Ignatius Ayau Kaigama, has said that Nigeria is enduring its own “cruelty of Good Friday” amid rising violence, economic despair and leadership failure.

Kaigama, in his Easter message with the theme “Peace, Not War: Avoiding The Cruelty Of Good Friday in our Nation,” warned that the joy of Easter cannot be separated from suffering and that across Nigeria, suffering had become intolerable.

“Even though we are aware that the resurrection of Christ is inseparably linked to the suffering of Good Friday, sadly, this Easter finds us again as a nation passing through trials that weigh heavily on the heart,” Kaigama said.

The cleric pointed specifically to recent massacres in Jos, Kaduna and Taraba States, where he said innocent Nigerians had lost their lives in brutal attacks that reflect a troubling persistence of terror and lawlessness.

The archbishop accused the government of responding to the bloodshed with unacceptable weakness.

“So far, the government’s response to these incidents of violence and abuse of human rights has been weak at best and negligent at worst.

“The government appears only after blood has been shed, after homes have been reduced to ashes, to ‘restore normalcy’, while survivors are left to bury their departed dear ones and remain traumatised.

“Entire communities have been wiped out in Southern Kaduna, Plateau, Benue and parts of Niger, Borno, Adamawa, Taraba, and Zamfara.

“Churches have been burned. Priests and pastors were kidnapped. Villages overrun. Muslims were attacked and killed while at prayer. These are not rumours. These are documented realities,” he said.

Kaigama also used the message to clarify recent reports about his appeal to the United States (US) President Donald Trump, insisting that he never asked for weapons for Christians alone.

“It was misreported, especially on social media, that I was calling on President Donald Trump to supply weapons to Christians in Nigeria.

“My call to Mr Trump was for strategic support, for logistics to cripple the activities of these perpetrators of evil. Both Christians and Muslims are victims of their nefarious activities.

“As a shepherd concerned with promoting the dignity of lives and the common good of all, it would be ethically irresponsible of me to call only for the defence of the lives of Christians in Nigeria,” he said.

Looking ahead to the 2027 general elections, the archbishop urged Nigerians to act as morally responsible citizens, rejecting vote-buying and divisive rhetoric.

“Do not sell your conscience for temporary gain. Do not be swayed by empty promises or divisive rhetoric. Instead, seek and vote for leaders who demonstrate integrity, competence, and a genuine commitment to the common good.

“Leadership is a sacred trust, a service to God and humanity. The power you hold is given for the purpose of service, not self-enrichment,” he said