The Leader of INRI Evangelical Spiritual Church, Primate Elijah Ayodele, has slammed the Federal Government for failing to provide adequate protection for citizens, warning that Nigeria’s insecurity has evolved into a nationwide problem.
In a statement posted on his X handle on Friday, the cleric said killings, kidnappings, and violent attacks have become almost routine, leaving Nigerians terrified and unprotected.
He noted that the crisis is no longer confined to specific areas or groups but has spread across regions and religions.
“Nigeria is in the grip of a severe security crisis. Killings, kidnappings, and violent attacks have become almost routine, leaving citizens terrified and unprotected.
“This is no longer about one group, it has turned into a nationwide Nigerian genocide, affecting people across regions and religions,” he wrote.
Ayodele said criminal groups now operate with boldness due to the absence of an effective national response.
“The sad reality is that criminals now operate with boldness because there is no effective national response. Security agencies are overstretched, and leadership is not providing the urgent direction the moment demands.”
He faulted President Bola Tinubu’s handling of the crisis, insisting that the president’s “most basic responsibility” is to secure the lives of Nigerians.
“A President’s most basic responsibility is to protect lives and secure the nation. If President Tinubu cannot guarantee the safety of Nigerians, then he has failed in his primary duty,” Ayodele said.
His comments come against the backdrop of increased international scrutiny of Nigeria’s security challenges.
Earlier, Trump declared Nigeria a Country of Particular Concern and threatened military intervention, citing alleged persecution of Christians and directing the US Department of War to prepare potential action.
He described any intervention as “fast and vicious” against “Islamic terrorists.”
But Tinubu has vowed to combat terrorism and rejected characterisations of the country as religiously intolerant.
In response to Trump’s statements, the Federal Government said it seeks cooperation with the US to address violent attacks, emphasising alliance over threats.
Meanwhile, in the past few days, Nigeria has experienced increased violence, particularly in the northern region.
PUNCH Online earlier reported that gunmen on Friday abducted students and staff from a Catholic school in Papiri, Agwara Local Government Area of Niger State.
The incident occurred between 1 am and 3 am when attackers invaded the boarding school.
Up to 52 students were reportedly taken, while police confirmed the attack but did not specify the exact number of victims.
In a similar raid on Monday at the Government Girls Comprehensive Secondary School in Maga, Kebbi State, at least 24 girls were kidnapped by gunmen who stormed the dormitory before dawn.
One student managed to escape during the chaos, but authorities continue to search for the remaining victims.
On Tuesday, suspected bandits attacked locations in Eruku town in Kwara State, including the Christ Apostolic Church, and abducted worshippers.
The Kwara State Police Command confirmed that at least two people were killed and one was injured during the attacks.