By Paschal Norbert
ABUJA, NOVEMBER 26, 2025 (CISA) – The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria (CBCN) has issued a stark and urgent warning on the deteriorating security situation in Nigeria following a wave of kidnappings targeting priests, religious faithful, and school children across several states. In a strongly worded statement titled “Peace in Nigeria: Moving from Fragility to Stability”, the bishops lamented the ongoing violence, mass abductions, and unchecked criminality that continue to rob communities of peace, claiming countless lives and instilling deep fear across the nation.
Their message comes as Pope Leo XIV, during his Sunday Angelus, expressed profound sorrow over the kidnappings in Nigeria and Cameroon, urging authorities to act swiftly and decisively to secure the release of all abductees.
Addressing the faithful in Rome, Pope Leo XIV made a direct and emotional appeal for the release of those abducted: “I was deeply saddened to learn of the kidnapping of priests, faithful, and students in Nigeria and Cameroon. I feel great pain, above all for the many young men and women who have been abducted and for their distressed families. I make a heartfelt appeal for the immediate release of the hostages and urge the competent authorities to take appropriate and timely decisions to ensure their release. Let us pray for these brothers and sisters of ours, and that churches and schools may always and everywhere remain places of safety and hope.”
His appeal underscores the gravity of the crisis, as religious institutions, which once served as sanctuaries of learning, worship, and refuge, have increasingly become targets of violent groups.
In their statement, the Nigerian Catholic Bishops painted a grim picture of a nation grappling with relentless violence, particularly in the northern and middle-belt regions.
They wrote, “The deplorable security situation in our nation Nigeria and the ongoing discourse heating up the nation’s fragile social and religious climate are truly worrisome. More deeply painful is the persistent violence that has claimed countless lives, destroyed homes, and displaced families.”
They strongly condemned atrocities committed by armed groups, especially in predominantly Christian communities, noting that many areas have suffered repeated brutal attacks, heavy casualties, and mass destruction of property.
“As murderous groups continue to unleash terror on defenseless citizens, we strongly condemn these atrocities that have brought untold anguish to many communities… Such prolonged unbearable conditions have given credence to allegations of ‘genocide’ in some quarters,” the bishops stated.
Referring to recent incidents, the bishops expressed deep anguish at the increasing abductions of young girls, worshippers, and schoolchildren: “Recent events further highlight the depth of this national crisis. Cases of abduction of several worshippers in Kwara State (who, thankfully, have been released), twenty-five young girls in Kebbi State, thirteen female farmers in Borno State, two hundred and sixty-five students and their teachers in Papiri, Niger State, brutal killing of more than seventy persons in Southern Taraba and the displacement of thousands there, attest to the troubling scale of the security crisis.”
They warned that widespread kidnappings and unchecked criminality reveal how deeply insecurity has penetrated Nigerian society.
“When criminals can strike schools, farms, and communities with impunity, it threatens the very foundations of family life, education, and social stability,” said the prelates.
“In the light of this worsening situation, we call on the Government at all levels to urgently and decisively fulfil its foremost duty, as mandated by Section 14(2)(b) of the 1999 Constitution, to protect the lives and property of all citizens… Those responsible for these heinous crimes must be identified and brought to justice, for without accountability there can be no lasting peace,” appealed the bishops, citing constitutional responsibility, the bishops called on the government to take urgent and effective action.
They urged that all abducted persons, especially schoolchildren and young girls, be safely returned to their families and demanded thorough investigations into delayed or withheld security responses.
The bishops also highlighted persistent violations of religious freedom, destruction of churches, and the growing impact of extremist ideologies.
They explained, “We further draw attention to the persistent violations of the rights and freedoms of Christian minorities in several northern states. The denial of land for the construction of churches, particularly within federal institutions, and the destruction of Christian places of worship… are matters that demand urgent government action.”
They condemned the overreach of Sharia courts in some states, harassment by morality enforcement groups, and the killing of Deborah Samuel Yakubu, warning that such actions undermine national unity and Nigeria’s secular constitutional framework.
