Silence Of The Saints, Detriment Of The Citizens: A Call To Action For Nigerian Pastors
There is a Yoruba saying that Agba ki wa loja, ki ori omo titun o wo Translation: The infants head does not bend when the elders are in the market. A devastating spate of attacks in Nigeria has killed around 113 people, including Christians. With Easter approaching, believers in Nigeria are even more vulnerable to attack. Since the end of March, Fulani militants attacked at least eight communities in the local government associations of Bokkos and Bassa. Alongside those killed (and the number could be higher), a further six are missing and many others injured. Over 300 homes have been destroyed, leaving more than 3,000 people displaced. Sign the global Arise Africa petition asking for protection, justice and restoration for Christians facing increasing levels of violence in sub-Saharan Africa. The most recent attack was on Sunday night (13 April) in a Christian community in Bassa. “Forty-three people were killed, several houses were burnt down with people inside,” says a local contact.
Amongst the other attacks, three Christian farmers were cultivating their land on 24 March when they were killed. Three days later, the militants killed 11 Christians who had gathered for a funeral, including a pregnant woman and ten-year-old girl. On 2 April, at least five Christian women were killed as they gathered for fellowship.
The attacks in Bokkos come as Christian communities continue to recover from a series of attacks in 2023, including one on Christmas Eve in which around 200 believers were killed. A coordinated security response is in place to tackle the ongoing spate of attacks in affected communities.
“Our people are living in fear,” says Titus Ayuba Alams, who serves as a special adviser to the local authorities on workers’ welfare and corporate affairs. “Children no longer go to school, even worship in churches you can’t do it, because you are running for your life.”
Amid all of these crises in Nigeria, citizens would be hurt not only by the incessant killings but by the silence of some prominent personality especially some men of God. The General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Pastor Enoch Adeboye, along with other leading Christian figures, is under fire on social media for their lack of response following a recent massacre in Plateau State that claimed at least 54 lives, including those of children.
The attack occurred in the early hours of April 13, when armed assailants invaded Zikke village in the Bassa Local Government Area. Eyewitnesses reported that the attackers wreaked havoc, looting homes, burning villages, and killing without mercy.
This shocking incident has led to national outrage, with citizens demanding justice and accountability. As the country mourns, the silence of prominent leaders, including Pastor Adeboye, has drawn scrutiny. Social media critics have accused the respected pastor of being selectively vocal, contrasting his previous activism during former President Goodluck Jonathan’s time with his current silence under President Bola Tinubu’s administration. As Adeboye remains one of Nigeria’s most influential religious figures, many believe his voice could make a difference. That’s why his silence feels like betrayal to some of his followers — especially those directly affected by the violence. If religious leaders, who command massive followings and wield enormous soft power, refuse to speak out on national injustice, who will?
While the sole purpose of this write up is not to call out or disrespect any pastor, it is howver important to note that it is hightime our men of God spoke, time is ticking, Nigerians are dying, the government whom should help are helpless but rather engaging in foreign trip, it is believed that if the same energy invested during the days of Jonathan is replicated now by our revered men of God, then maybe, President Tinubu and his charge would rise to do the right thing, after all, the holy bible tells that when the righteous pray, God answers, we have prayed now is time for action our dear leaders.
