Bandits. Photo Credit ZAgazola
… Says govt unserious over handling of security situation
… Berates Ondo govt over worsening
The Catholic Bishop of Ondo Diocese, Jude Arogundade, has described as saddening the position of the federal government that bandits and terrorists are prodigal sons who deserve a second chance in life.
While describing the stance of the government as insulting to the intelligence of Nigerians, Bishop Arogundade emphasised that the claim was an indication that the government is unserious with its determination to combat insecurity in the country.
According to the Catholic Bishop, who spoke after the mass to commemorate Palm Sunday at the Sacred Heart Cathedral, Akure, the state capital, on Sunday, bandits and terrorists have practically declared war against Nigeria and its government and all the law-abiding citizens of this country.
Arogundade also urged Ondo State Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa to devise means of curbing the spate of kidnapping and other forms of insecurity across the state, following the attack on a health facility in the Oke Ijebu area of Akure, the state capital, over the weekend.
The Bishop, who stressed that a lot needed to be done by the federal and state governments on the protection of the lives and properties of the people, expressed displeasure over the rate of kidnapping in the state.
He maintained that the governor needed to be more proactive, saying the bandits were gradually entering the state capital.
He said, “I don’t think our government is serious again. I will just say that because if you look at our town here in Akure, Akure is being invaded. These strange people are coming in; where are they coming from, and will the government say they don’t know what is going on?
‘They are particularly taking hold of strategic places, and everybody is looking helpless until they begin to strike and kill everybody again before people begin to react. The person who is supposed to preside over the security of Nigeria just said last week that these terrorists are prodigals. My goodness, how do you minimise the enormity of what these guys have done against this country?
“They have practically declared war against Nigeria and its government and all the law-abiding citizens of this country. And you call them prodigal sons? The prodigal son in the Bible didn’t kill his father, nor did he kill his brother to take over the property. The prodigal son went; he lost everything, and he was caring for the swine. He didn’t kill the owner of the swine to take over everything. So please, in a civilised country, that man should resign. What kind of nonsense is that? We lost 41 people here in my diocese, and those who killed them are prodigal sons?
“I don’t think this country is serious. We Nigerians say they don’t know what is going on. It’s getting to that time that we have to ask the obvious question.”
He, however, called on the citizens to pray and be vigilant about their environment, while the government should also do its own part.
“We have to pray; that is our duty as Christians. We have to pray, but at the same time, the government has to take responsibility. Not until people say it has become… I used to be one of those who were doubting whether this is really a genocide. It’s going on, and it’s sweeping. We see them on Facebook; we see them on all the social media and other parts of media outlets. So, it’s getting to that time that we have to come together and talk about this situation.
“Within one year, not even up to one year, Akure has been invaded, and the government will tell you they don’t know about it? Even the small child in the street knows what is going on. This is the only country where you have a situation where unbelievable things are happening.”
On the Palm Sunday celebration, Arogundade said it commemorated the triumphant entry of Jesus Christ to Jerusalem to prepare for His passion and death on the cross. It was the triumphant entry of Jesus Christ into Jerusalem.
“Who have suffered with Him, who have journeyed with Him, will rise with Him into glory. This is the teaching of Christianity: that in participating in His life and death, we will also participate; we will be part of His life and resurrection. So, Palm Sunday begins the Holy Week, in which everyone is called to that deeper consciousness of the part that our Lord Jesus Christ played, or continues to play, in human salvation.”
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