Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria condemns rising violence, calls for urgent action

By Kunle Sanni –

The Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria (CSN) has expressed deep concern over what it described as a relentless wave of killings and abductions across several parts of the country, warning that continued violence is eroding public trust in governance and threatening the nation’s moral and constitutional foundations.

In a statement issued on Friday and jointly signed by the Secretary General of the CSN, Very Rev. Fr. Michael Banjo, and the National Director of Social Communications, Very Rev. Fr. Michael Nsikak Umoh, the organisation lamented that years of complaints and assurances have failed to stem the bloodshed, leaving communities devastated and citizens weary of what it called “empty condolences”.

The CSN cited reports of mass killings between late January and early February 2026, including an attack in Woro, Kwara State, where more than 160 civilians were reportedly killed, as well as repeated incidents of killings and abductions in Agwara and Tungan Gero in Niger State.

It also referenced attacks on farming communities in Katsina and Kaduna states and continued violence in parts of Borno State, describing the situation as a grave assault on human life and dignity.

The Catholic body reminded political leaders that the Nigerian Constitution places the protection of life and property as a core responsibility of government, warning that persistent insecurity undermines the legitimacy and moral authority of the state.

It further noted that Nigeria is a signatory to international human rights instruments, including the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, both of which affirm the right to life as fundamental.

The CSN called on the Federal Government to urgently review its security strategies, including the redeployment of security forces to areas under threat, seeking assistance where necessary, identifying and prosecuting sponsors of violence, ensuring perpetrators are punished, and providing relief, psychosocial support and compensation to victims, while rebuilding affected communities.

It urged political, religious and community leaders to work together to restore peace and appealed to Nigerians to reject hatred and violence, stressing that the country must not allow mass killings to become a normalised feature of national life.