Matthew Kukah, Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, has said Nigerian leaders have no blood in their hearts for allowing the incessant killing of citizens in the country.
Kukah, who spoke at the burial of Fr. Alphosus Bello, who was murdered by bandits alongside Fr. Joseph Keke, on May 21, 2021, lampooned the President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration for failing to address the country’s security challenges.
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He explained that the continuous slaughter of innocent Nigerians suggests that the administration is not moving with civilisation.
Kukah said: ‘There is nowhere in the world that citizens can be slaughtered without the government showing empathy and concern.’
The cleric also queried why Buhari has not declared the kidnappers a terrorist group and also how the country’s leaders who swore with the Qur’an and Bible to uphold the principle of governance, would leave the country at the mercy of criminals.
He therefore urged Nigerian leaders to reverse the vow to: ‘I have sworn that I will not protect you from foreign invaders, kidnappers and being killed. You are on your own. Your security is in your own hands. Keeping you safe is not our immediate priority. Foreign bandits or anyone can come at will, kill, loot, rape, kidnap and murder you. They can wipe out your communities, destroy your homes and your farmlands.’
‘They can kidnap or murder your children at will. They can rustle your cattle. If they kidnap your children, wives or husbands, we will consider you criminals for negotiating for their release. We are preparing a law that could see you go to jail for 15 years for this heinous crime against your fatherland.’
Kukah, however, urged Nigerians to remain steadfast in prayer that God will lead them out of the tragic situation.
AFRICA TODAY NEWS, NEW YORK