The Bishop of Ibadan Anglican Diocese, Most Rev. Joseph Akinfenwa, has urged political leaders at all levels never to play politics with the blood of innocent citizens.

Mr Akinfenwa said this on Tuesday in a statement in Ibadan.

The Anglican bishop said that the problem of insecurity and other vices had been in the country for at least two decades, but it took a worrisome dimension recently.

Mr Akinfenwa urged the Federal Government to take urgent, proactive actions to protect the lives of Nigerian citizens.

According to him, repeated breach of trust and the failure of elected leaders to live up to their oaths of office led to widespread disenchantment among the populace.

The cleric stated, “The fact that citizens can hardly ever get rescue, redress, or recompense, and the brazen impunity with which violent aggressors carry on their heinous crime (especially in Northern Nigeria), can lead to loss of faith in civil authority.

“While many conspiracy theories exist to explain the intrigues of the past few weeks, none can explain the fact that the government owes the duty to protect Nigerian citizens. When government fails to protect citizens, it is an abdication of responsibility that should not be condoned by the citizenry. It is therefore time for us to put pressure on our leaders to live up to their oaths of office.”

Mr Akinfenwa identified with the call of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) for nationwide prayers by the Christian community on Decrmber 7.

He appealed to Christian bodies of all denominations to respond massively to the call, and to pray fervently to God for divine intervention in Nigeria.

“As we pray, the same God who delivered the Jews in the time of Esther, while at the same time executing judgment upon wicked Haman, shall arise and fight for the Church and country. Our prayers are with members of the Nigerian Armed Forces and other intelligence/security outfits who are loyal to the Nigerian nation.

“On the other hand, may the Lord expose, humiliate and judge all the saboteurs in our intelligence services and the armed forces. May God comfort the families of all those who have died, may He strengthen our security agents, and grant safe release to all who have been taken captive.

“May God heal our land, and speedily bring back the days of peace and tranquillity when Nigerians could move freely across the length and breadth of the nation at day and at night – without fear,” Mr Akinfenwa said. 

(NAN)