2023-09-29 22:26:15
In the following text of Crux, Nigeria’s Catholic bishops express deep concern about growing instability in their country. They denounce widespread violence, kidnappings for ransom and persecution of Christians, including Catholic priests, highlighting the critical situation in Nigeria, accompanied by economic challenges and a lack of political transparency.
YAOUNDÈ, Cameroon – Catholic bishops in Africa’s most populous nation have warned that Nigeria has effectively been taken over by insurgents, militias and criminal gangs, with Christians, including Catholic priests, among the most frequent victims.
At the end of their Second Plenary Meeting, held in a hotel in the capital area of Abuja from September 7 to 15, the bishops condemned the widespread violence and chaos in Nigeria, a situation which they say is exacerbated by growing economic uncertainty and lack of political transparency.
On the security front, the bishops declared that insecurity “It remains a persistent problem in our country, as insurgents, herdsmen’s militias, bandits and so-called ‘unknown gunmen’ continue to spread terror in different parts of the country.”
The term “unknown armed men” refers to language often used by police and security officials to describe violent assaults when the perpetrators are not identified or arrested.
“Kidnappings for ransom continue“, the bishops declared, with Catholic clergy particularly targeted. The last priest kidnapped was Father Marcellinus Obioma Okide, kidnapped on September 17 but released four days later.
Some reports suggest that the Obioma diocese in Enugu paid an unspecified ransom to secure his release, although authorities have not confirmed those claims. In general, Kidnapping for ransom has become a major source of income for many armed groups in Nigeria.
According to global research firm SB Morgan Intelligence, 30 Catholic priests have been kidnapped in 2022, while at least 39 have been killed.
With a Christian killed every two hours for his faith, Nigeria has the unenviable distinction of being the world’s largest persecutor of Christians, according to Christian persecution watchdog Open Doors.
In 2021, “More Christians have been killed for their faith in Nigeria than in any other country,” according to the group. Over 4,650 victims were recorded, or more than 80 percent of all Christian victims worldwide. Nigerians also accounted for 4,726 of the 5,259 Christians abducted in 2022.
Nigerian bishops have complained that many communities in the country have been targeted by criminals.
“The result is that many [persone] they have abandoned their homes, agricultural lands, shops, businesses and other sources of livelihood“, they said in their September 15 communication.
“The number of internally displaced people in our country continues to grow, with many children not attending school, making them easy prey for human traffickers. This situation has been exacerbated by the incessant stay-at-home orders in the Southeast issued by non-state actors. Many have lost their lives for not adhering to these illegal directives.”.
The reference was to orders issued by insurgent groups in the southern part of Nigeria, mainly in areas of former Biafra that sought to declare independence during a bloody civil war from 1967 to 1970, requiring citizens to stay at home during specific periods to put pressure on the government to accept the groups’ demands.
The clerics said the killings and kidnappings were perpetrated by criminal elements with varying levels of sophistication, with terrorists increasingly turning to easy targets “with Catholic priests in mind”.
“The blood of the innocent continues to cry out to God for vengeance, like that of Abel.” the bishops warned.
They accused the country’s security apparatus of turning its back while Christians are targeted for elimination.
“The government’s failure to address the problem of priest killing has further contributed to encouraging other criminals to do the same“, they said.
“Those involved should be identified. They are not spirits, but human beings. If the security system is proactive enough, it should have been able to discover the killers by now. The government has a responsibility to lead in resolutely dealing with the perpetrators of these atrocities, who now serve as motivation to commit more crimes.”
They said the federal government is fully responsible for the killings because it has “lost the ability to curb the various portfolios of armed men who are now terrorizing several places, particularly in the North, without impediment.” They called for a redesign of the existing strategy to stem insecurity.
Contributing to the increase in insecurity is what the bishops have described as “a failing and worsening economy” which subjected Nigerians to “a life of poverty, hunger, hardship and suffering.”
The World Poverty Clock states that 71 million Nigerians live in extreme povertyand last year the country’s National Statistics Office said 63 percent of the population of 133 million people are “multidimensional poor”.
The World Bank predicts that between 2019 and 2025, the number of Nigerians living below the national poverty line will increase.
By Ngala Killian Chimtom – Crux
Sep 27, 2023 – Africa Correspondent
*****
It is notable that, paradoxically, Nigeria is rich in various natural resources, and is one of the most resource-rich countries in Africa. Some major resources include:
Oil: Nigeria is a major oil producer in Africa and a major oil exporter in the world. The oil industry represents a significant part of the Nigerian economy.
Natural Gas: In addition to oil, Nigeria has large reserves of natural gas. Natural gas extraction and export are also important sources of income for the country.
Minerals: Nigeria is rich in various minerals, including coal, iron, tin, lead, zinc, gold and bauxite. However, the exploitation of these resources has not been fully developed.
Agriculture: The country has fertile soils and a climate suitable for agriculture. Major crops include cocoa, palm oil, peanut, corn, rice and cotton.
Water Resources: Nigeria has numerous rivers and watersheds, which provides water resources for irrigation, hydropower generation and other activities.
Human Resources: Nigeria has a large young population and diverse workforce, which represents significant potential for economic development.
It is emblematic that in Nigeria the major problem is the international oil companies that have a major presence in Nigeria and are involved in the extraction and export of the country’s oil and natural gas. These companies often have a significant impact on the environment and local communities.
It is incredible that this country is among the top five or six world oil producers and that it finds itself in these conditions.
Despite abundant resources, Nigeria is plagued by a situation that CRUX attributes primarily to poverty. Indeed, data from July 2023 reveals that as many as 78% of its 210 million inhabitants live on less than $1 a day.
The roots of this problem lie in the mismanagement of revenues from natural resources, widespread corruption, political instability and growing insecurity. However, an interesting article by Ngala Killian Chimtom suggests a contrasting view, arguing that terrorism and corruption are consequences, rather than causes, of the country’s poverty.
In summary, Nigeria, despite its potential riches, struggles with a complex interplay of factors, including poor resource management and endemic poverty, which have contributed to a range of socioeconomic and political challenges.
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