The Catholic Bishop of Idah Diocese, Most Reverend Anthony Adaji, MSP, has condemned the persistent killings across Nigeria, describing them as inhuman, unethical, and a total disregard for God.
The outspoken cleric said it was irrational and dishonest for anyone to downplay the level of violence and insecurity sweeping across the country. He argued that the pattern of attacks in many parts of Nigeria clearly shows a disturbing disregard for the sanctity of human life.
Speaking at a public event in Abuja over the weekend, Bishop Adaji expressed deep concern that the killings had become institutionalized acts of terror, while government authorities appear incapacitated and helpless.
“It is inhuman and unethical for any rational being to deny the reality of the ongoing killings,” the bishop said. “God will not forgive those who turn a blind eye while innocent blood is shed daily.”
According to him, the continued silence and perceived inaction of government at all levels have emboldened violent groups to continue their murderous campaigns across rural and urban communities.
He lamented that thousands of innocent Nigerians—men, women, and children—have lost their lives to banditry, terrorism, and communal clashes, with little or no justice served for the victims and their families.
The bishop recalled that in several communities across the Middle Belt and other parts of the country, entire villages have been attacked, homes destroyed, and farmlands abandoned by survivors fleeing for safety.
Bishop Adaji maintained that the current state of insecurity threatens national unity and peace, and that the situation must not be allowed to continue. He emphasized that every Nigerian life—regardless of tribe, region, or religion—deserves protection under the law.
He warned that any attempt to politicize or downplay the magnitude of the killings would be a disservice to the thousands who have lost their lives in senseless violence.
Most Reverend Adaji also accused individuals and groups he described as “profiteers of crisis” of benefiting from the continuous bloodshed. According to him, those who defend or justify the killings are either politically or economically complicit.
He said such individuals have turned human tragedy into a lucrative venture, using the suffering of ordinary Nigerians to advance selfish political interests or to secure financial gains from the chaos.
The bishop further noted that some people who oppose international collaboration to tackle insecurity in Nigeria do so not out of patriotism but because they benefit from the present disorder.
Bishop Adaji reaffirmed his support for any sincere effort—local or international—aimed at ending the killings and restoring peace and stability across the nation.
He stressed that human life is sacred and must be protected at all times, noting that the Catholic Church remains a strong promoter of the sanctity of life and the dignity of every human being.
The cleric called on the Nigerian government to rise to its constitutional responsibility of protecting the lives and property of all citizens. He said allowing the continued bloodshed to persist would push the country further toward instability and fear.
Bishop Adaji concluded by urging Nigerians of all faiths to unite against terror, speak truth to power, and reject every attempt to divide the nation. He emphasized that only justice, truth, and respect for human life can bring lasting peace to Nigeria.
