The Bishop of Abakaliki diocese of the Methodist Church Nigeria, Rt. Rev. Lawson Elom has blamed the increase in armed banditry in Nigeria on alleged lopsided appointments of security chiefs by the President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration.
Elom made this known in a 12-point communiqué signed and issued to newsmen at the end of the 25th annual synod of the Diocese of Abakaliki held at the Wesley Methodist Church, No. 19 Onwe Road, Abakaliki.
The synod with the theme: “Obedience to God; better than sacrifice” urged Christians in Nigeria, especially those in the corridors of power, to spread holiness, obedience to God both in words and actions.
Elom, however, commended Buhari for signing the N30,000 minimum wage bill into law, as well as the Governor of Ebonyi State, Chief David Umahi, for the development his administration has brought to the people of the state.
The statement reads in part: “The synod commend President Mohammadu Buhari for signing the N30,000 minimum wage bill into law and therefore, called on the state governments and employers of labour to effect the immediate implementation”.
Bishop Elom however expressed worry over increasing cases of kidnapping, armed banditry and other social vices in Nigeria, and called on the federal government to sit-up to ensure that the lives and property of citizens are protected.
“The near-collapse of the security apparatus in the society in which lives and property of citizens are no longer guaranteed as no week passes without record of incidents of kidnapping, armed-banditry and other social vices; has predisposes the country to ridicule.
“The synod observed with dismay that this ugly trend may not be unconnected to the lopsided nature of appointments of security chiefs in the country by the federal government. We therefore charge the present federal government to take urgent action to address this ugly scenario in the interest of the national unity.
“The synod observed that the government in power most recently practised ‘militocracy’ to the extent of undue interference in the operations of the other arms of government by the executives and therefore, called for the defence of true democratic principles as enunciated in the law of the land for national cohesion.
“It is worrisome that up till now the rate at which the Fulani herdsmen are killing the hapless citizens of this country still remain unabated. We therefore, called on government at all level to take proactive measures to end these attacks, so that there will be no outbreak of famine and further clashes between herders and farmers.”
The bishop also condemned in totality the wanton killings and destruction of property resulting from the boundary disputes among Agila and Ngbo, Ikwo and Adadama people in Cross River states.
He regretted that the clashes have resulted to the displacement of thousands of innocent Ebonyians from their homes.
“We condemn the unwarranted communal clashes going on between the people of Adadama in Cross River state and Izzi/Ikwo communities, Ngbo and Agila communities, Ikwo and Abakaliki communities which has resulted to killings and rendering many homeless. We therefore, called on the National Boundary Commission to expedite the process of peace in the affected areas,” the communique added.
