Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, Most Rev. Matthew Kukah says Nigerian leaders lack “blood in their hearts” for allowing bandits and terrorists turn the nation into a killing field.
The vocal cleric stated this Wednesday in Kaduna in his homily at the burial of Fr. Alphosus Bello, who was kidnapped and later killed by bandits on May 21 in Katsina.
“Those who govern us are allowing this killing of citizens because they have no blood in their hearts,” Kukah said.
“There is nowhere in the whole world that citizens can be slaughtered without the government showing empathy and concern. The continuous barbaric slaughter of our people in their innocence suggests that our beautiful Presidential Villa, National Assembly and government houses are not moving with civilisation.
“How did Nigeria come to this tragic situation? We know who they are, whom they believe in and where their inspiration comes from. But the government has never declared the kidnappers a terrorist group.”
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Kukah said that the killers were not unknown, adding that complicity at the highest levels was emboldening them.
The cleric wondered how leaders that swore by the holy books to protect the citizenry could be so unperturbed by the killing of their people.
According to him, the oath such leaders swore to should be reversed as: “I have sworn that I will not protect you from foreign invaders, kidnappers and being killed. You are on your own. Your security is in your own hands. Keeping you safe is not our immediate priority. Foreign bandits or anyone can come at will, kill, loot, rape, kidnap and murder you. They can wipe out your communities, destroy your homes and your farmlands.
“They can kidnap or murder your children at will. They can rustle your cattle. If they kidnap your children, wives or husbands, we will consider you criminals for negotiating for their release. We are preparing a law that could see you go to jail for 15 years for this heinous crime against your fatherland.”
Kukah urged Nigerians not to despair but to pray to God for a turnaround of the tragic situation.
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