The Catholic Archbishop of Lagos, Most Rev. Dr. Alfred Martins, has called for more urgent official measures to curb the rising insecurity across the country.

He said the festering terrorists’ attacks in parts of the country and the mass killing of innocent Nigerians in recent times, underlined the need for the federal government and the security agencies to urgently identify and deal decisively with the terrorists and their sponsors.

Mr Martins lamented the predawn attack on Monday at the Government Girls Comprehensive Secondary School in Maga, Kebbi State, where 25 schoolgirls were violently taken from their dormitory, and a similar attack on St. Mary’s Catholic School in Papiri, Agwara Local Government Area of Niger State on Friday where some students were also abducted.

The cleric noted that the incidents were regrettably reminiscent of the abduction of the Chibok girls in April 2014, which he noted still stirs the nation to the core.

In the same vein, he condemned the kidnapping of a Catholic priest, Father Bobbo Paschal, from St. Stephen Catholic Church in Kushe Gudgu, Kaduna State. During this raid, Gideon Markus, the brother of another local priest, was killed as he tried to intervene. These attacks, he noted, demonstrate the brazen audacity of those who seek to terrorize our nation.

He stated, “It is a matter of great concern that there has been a spike in the cases of terrorist attacks across the country in recent times, especially since the threat made by President Donald Trump. It seems there are some elements who are making deliberate efforts to throw this nation into chaos. For instance, how does one describe the manner in which the schoolgirls were kidnapped, the brutal murder of a staff member, the school’s Vice Principal and Chief Security Officer, Hassan Yakubu Makuku, who was shot when assailants broke into his residence on the school premises? It is sad that these children, aged approximately 12 to 17, were seized under the cover of darkness by gunmen who scaled the school fence, exchanged gunfire with police, and ultimately took these innocent daughters away into the forests. We are heartened that one student has escaped and returned home, but we remain deeply troubled about the safety and well-being of the 24 who remain in captivity.”

According to him, the recent killing of a general in the army, Muhammad Uba, by the terrorists and the gruesome attack of worshippers at a church in Eruku, Kwara State, further showed that “more needs to be done to secure the lives and properties of our citizens wherever they may be living.”

He said, “If the terrorists can kill a whole serving army general in such a brazen manner, I wonder how secure the average citizens of this country are? It truly shows that there are reasons for everyone to be concerned about their security.”

The cleric warned that time was ticking fast and the government at all levels along with the security agencies needed to enforce their constitutional mandate of protecting the lives and properties of the citizens, as they needed to act fast to regain the confidence and trust of all citizens.

Acknowledging the assurances that the military had been on their readiness to secure Nigerians, he wondered why they continue to appear powerless amid incessant attacks.

He therefore tasked the Tinubu-led administration to, as a matter of constitutional duty, bring home those held by the terrorists.

He equally urged the political class to unite and support the security agencies in their efforts to defeat the terrorists, warning that no stone should be left unturned to bring the culprits and their sponsors to justice.