The Archbishop Metropolitan and Primate of the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion), the Most Revd Henry Chukwudum Ndukuba, has called for urgent international intervention over what he described as escalating violence and targeted killings of Nigerian citizens, particularly Christians in parts of the North and sections of the South.
Delivering his Presidential Address at the Standing Committee Meeting of the Church of Nigeria, held at St Stephen’s Anglican Church, Osumenyi, in the Diocese of Amichi, Anambra State, the Primate painted a sombre portrait of a nation under siege from criminality, banditry and insurgency.
He expressed deep concern over what he termed a pattern of violence against vulnerable communities, lamenting what he described as official reluctance in some quarters to acknowledge the scale of the crisis.
In measured but firm language, Primate Ndukuba argued that when a government appears unable to competently contain widespread insecurity, appeals for international support become both moral and necessary. He urged the global community not to remain indifferent, stressing that lives were being lost and communities traumatised.
The Anglican leader referenced high-profile incidents that have shocked the nation, including mass abductions of worshippers in Kaduna State, kidnappings of schoolchildren and teachers in Niger State, and the killing of a cleric following his abduction alongside members of his family. He said such episodes were not isolated tragedies but part of a broader pattern of insecurity that leaves families and communities devastated.
“Nigeria is bleeding,” he declared, warning that denial or downplaying of violent incidents only deepens public mistrust and compounds national grief.
While acknowledging statements and gestures from foreign leaders who have publicly recognised Nigeria’s security challenges, he maintained that temporary responses were insufficient in the face of what he described as a sustained humanitarian and security crisis. He called for coordinated international engagement aimed at saving lives and stabilising affected regions.
The Primate also criticised what he characterised as political correctness and image management before the international community, arguing that such approaches amount to a disservice to citizens confronting daily fear and uncertainty.
In his most forceful remarks, he framed the violence as part of a wider ideological and territorial agenda, warning that unchecked bloodshed could carry grave moral and historical consequences for the nation.
Security analysts note that religious leaders in Nigeria have increasingly assumed advocacy roles amid persistent insecurity, often serving as the moral voice for communities struggling with displacement, trauma and economic disruption. However, government officials have consistently rejected claims of religiously targeted campaigns, maintaining that criminality and insurgency affect citizens across faiths and regions.
As debate continues over the character and drivers of Nigeria’s insecurity, Primate Ndukuba’s address adds to mounting pressure on federal authorities to deliver measurable improvements in safety and accountability.
For many worshippers gathered in Osumenyi, the address was more than ecclesiastical routine; it was a plea born of anguish, reflecting the fears of congregations across the country who seek reassurance that their lives and liberties remain protected.
