Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Sokoto, Matthew Kukah, said Nigeria has become a “massive killing field” as government and the governed look on helplessly.
He slammed Muhammadu Buhari-led government over the grave security situation in Nigeria in his Easter message.
Easter is the celebration of the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, which is observed by Christian faithful across the globe.
In the message titled “Nigeria: Before our glory departs,” Kukah reflects on the current realities of Nigeria and its citizens.
He said Nigeria’s predicament reminded him of Israel’s situation that led to the death of Eli, the great high priest of Israel, as reported in the Bible
According to the Bible, Israel’s defeat in the hands of the Philistines led to the death of 30,000 soldiers.
He stated;
The two sons of the 98-year-old priest, Hophni and Phinehas, died in the battle. Eli’s two sons had foolishly carried the Ark of the Lord into the battlefield for protection, only for it to become a trophy for the victorious Philistines.
The high priest, Eli, collapsed and died after hearing this horrible news. Elsewhere, on hearing about the death of her husband, her father- in-law, and the loss of the Ark, Eli’s daughter-in-law went into premature labour. She was delivered of a baby boy–a call for great celebration in Israel! Strangely, she responded by naming her newborn son “Ichabod,” meaning, The glory has departed!
The Bishop added;
Taunted by Boko Haram, ravaged by bandits, kidnappers, armed robbers, and other merchants of death across the nation, there is collective fear as to whether Nigeria’s glory is about to depart! Retired military and intelligence officers lament over what has become of their glorious profession as they watch the humiliation of our military personnel. Traumatised citizens are tortured daily by bandits.
Kukah said Nigeria has become a “massive killing field”, as both government and the governed look on helplessly, stressing;
A thick and suffocating cloud of desperation, despondency, desolation, gloom, and misery hangs in the hot air. We have no message and have no idea how long this will last. Our people seek solace and protection, but frustration and darkness threaten to drown them. Is their government on AWOL?
The religious leader also recalled the statement of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria which addressed similar concerns.
Part of the statement reads;
The very survival of the nation is at stake. The nation is pulling apart. Widespread serious insecurity for long unaddressed has left the sad and dangerous impressions that those who have assumed the duty and authority to secure the nation are either unable, or worse, unwilling to take up the responsibilities to their office. Patience is running out. Sadly, all of these warnings are still falling on deaf ears.
Citing some episodes from the trial of Jesus by Pilate, he said when governments face legitimacy crises, they fall back on serving the populace propaganda, half-truths, and outright lies.
He noted;
They manufacture consent by creating imaginary enemies, setting citizens against one another by deploying religion, ethnicity, region, and other platforms while appealing to the base emotions of patriotism. We forget the reality that without truth, the throne of power often turns into a cage, and the occupant is turned into a prisoner. In reality, the truth needs neither a judge nor a witness. The truth is its own judge and witness. Without the truth, as the old song says, all else is sinking sand!
Recently, according to the World Happiness Report, we are one of the unhappiest nations in the world. This is unacceptable but understandable. Our clay-footed fight against corruption has not moved the needle of transparency forward. Of course, being the poverty capital of the world comes with its rewards such as banditry, violence, death, sorrow, blood, poverty, misery, and tears. Our cup of sorrow is permanently full; hence the exponential rise in the frustration curve across the country.
The clergyman concluded that as Nigeria’s troubles are growing by the day, the citizens should intensify their prayers.
It would be recalled that over three months ago, Bishop Kukah in his Christmas Day message. accused President Muhammadu Buhari of promoting northern hegemony and nepotism, adding that there could have been a coup if a non-northern Muslim president had done a fraction of what the President has done since he assumed office in 2015.
His statement sparked angry reactions from Arewa Youth Consultative Forum (AYCF) who called for the immediate arrest and prosecution.
A group of Muslims scholars and clerics under the aegis of The Muslim Solidarity Forum also asked the Bishop to apologise for his alleged “attack” on Islam and Muslims or leave Sokoto Caliphate.
However, Leadership of Catholic Church in Nigeria expressed support for the position of Bishop Kukah, on the state of the nation.
