Partner Security Agencies To Tackle Insecurity, Oyo HoS Tells Churches

The Oyo State Head of Service, Mrs Olubunmi Oni, has enjoined churches to partner with security agencies by sharing information, organising community watch groups, providing safe spaces and praying for the security personnel for their protection and for God to expose any act of betrayal or compromise.

Speaking during the opening ceremony of the 20th synod of the Methodist Diocese, Age, Igbo Elerin, Ibadan, with the Theme, “I Will Fight For You”, she said as Judas Iscariot betrayed Christ, many lives have been lost to banditry and kidnapping, including evangelists, clergy, engineers and other gifted citizens who could have contributed to our nation’s development.

She opined that many security challenges stem from poverty and idleness, the Church could offer vocational training, youth mentorship and support for the vulnerable, both in cities and in rural communities by removing the conditions that fuel crime.

“Nigeria’s security is not solely the responsibility of the armed forces, it is a collective effort.

The Synod is not merely a routine meeting; it is a sacred platform for reflection, renewal and collective decision-making under divine guidance.

“It is a time for the church to assess its journey, strengthen its mission, and chart a forward-looking course in fulfilling its spiritual and societal responsibilities. Such gatherings remind us that the Church is both a spiritual family and a moral force in the life of the nation’s task in which the Church lights the path of hope, truth and unity.”

While charging churches to continue to stand as a beacon of hope, a voice of truth and a pillar of moral guidance to the society, she said the  theme of the synod echoes Exodus 14:14, where Moses tells the Israelites, trapped between Pharaoh’s army and the Red Sea: “The LORD shall fight for you and you shall hold your peace.

”God demonstrated His ability to deliver by parting the Red Sea, drowning the enemy and setting His people free, this account shows that when God fights for His people, no obstacle is insurmountable”.

The Head of Service said the Church was not just a place of worship but also a moral and spiritual pillar of the nation.

“Its contribution to national security is both spiritual and practical.

“For Nigeria, this means we can trust God’s power while also doing our part, praying fervently, acting justly and supporting the structures that protect lives and property,” she said.

In his remarks, The Bishop of the Diocese of Agodi, Rt Rev Simeon Onaleke appreciated the Head of Service for the word of encouragement, saying that the 20th Synod will be fruitful, spirit-filled and impactful.