Archbishop Matthew Audu highlights Nigeria’s insecurity crisis, urging justice, leadership reform, and truth in media amid rising violence.
Newsroom (25/06/2026 Gaudium Press ) Archbishop Matthew Ishaya Audu of the Catholic Archdiocese of Jos has delivered a sobering account of Nigeria’s deepening insecurity crisis, drawing attention to the profound human suffering unfolding across several northern regions of the country. Speaking during an interview with ACI Africa on the sidelines of a courtesy visit by members of the Catholic Media Practitioners Association of Nigeria (CAMPAN), Jos Province, the Archbishop recounted haunting personal experiences that underscore the scale of the tragedy.
At the heart of his testimony was the story of a grieving woman whose husband and children were killed during a violent attack on her community—an encounter that continues to weigh heavily on him.
“I remember visiting communities where people had been brutally attacked. In one place, a woman broke down in tears while describing how her husband and children were killed. Entire families have been wiped out,” Archbishop Audu said. “Those experiences are heartbreaking, and the tears of that woman still haunt me.”
The Archbishop’s reflections shed light on the far-reaching consequences of violence across Plateau State, Benue, Southern Kaduna, Taraba, and other parts of northern Nigeria. According to him, the crisis is leaving lasting scars on families and communities, with many experiencing repeated displacement, loss, and trauma.
Concerns Over Targeted Violence
Archbishop Audu expressed particular concern about what he described as systematic attacks against certain Christian communities. In some cases, he argued, the nature of the violence suggests an intent that could be interpreted as genocidal.
“When a people are targeted because of their religious identity or ethnic background, and there is an agenda to wipe them out or erase their presence from a region, what else do you call it?” he asked.
He identified Plateau State, Southern Kaduna, Benue, Taraba, and parts of Niger State as areas where communities feel persistently under threat. Jos, a major center of Christianity in northern Nigeria, is seen by some hostile actors as a strategic target.
However, the Archbishop offered a nuanced view, cautioning against reducing all insecurity in Nigeria to religious conflict. He emphasized that multiple factors—including political interests, economic motivations, and organized criminal networks—play significant roles.
Resource Conflict and Criminal Activity
Among the key drivers of violence, Archbishop Audu pointed to competition over natural resources. He explained that some communities are located on land rich in valuable minerals, making them vulnerable to exploitation.
“One major issue is the struggle over natural resources. There are communities sitting on top of valuable minerals. Instead of negotiating fairly with those communities, compensating them, and ensuring they benefit from development, some people prefer violence,” he said.
He further noted that armed groups are, in some cases, deployed to forcibly displace local populations, creating opportunities for illegal mining and other exploitative activities. This intersection of economic gain and insecurity, he suggested, complicates efforts to resolve the crisis.
Church Efforts and the Role of Vigilance
While acknowledging the Church’s involvement in addressing insecurity, Archbishop Audu revealed that much of its work takes place discreetly.
“Security matters are not things one publicizes openly. If you are truly working on security issues, you do not expose every strategy to the public because doing so can make you vulnerable to the enemy,” he explained.
He stressed that faith must be accompanied by practical action, urging citizens to remain vigilant and engaged.
“God remains our ultimate protector, but faith in God does not remove human responsibility,” he said, illustrating his point with a simple analogy: “No matter how much you pray, if food is placed before you, you still need to use your hands to feed yourself.”
Critique of Governance and Leadership
Beyond insecurity, the Archbishop voiced strong criticism of governance failures in Nigeria. He lamented a system in which merit and expertise are often sidelined in favor of political considerations, favoritism, and personal relationships.
“One major problem is that people are often placed in positions they are not qualified for, and merit is ignored,” he said.
Drawing from personal experience, the 67-year-old prelate recounted declining an appointment to head an agricultural board due to his lack of technical expertise.
“I asked myself: why should a religious leader with no expertise in agriculture be placed in charge of such a technical institution?” he said.
His remarks reflect broader concerns about institutional inefficiency and the impact of poor leadership on national development.
Technology, Truth, and Moral Responsibility
Archbishop Audu also addressed the growing influence of artificial intelligence and modern technology, warning of both its potential and its dangers. While acknowledging that technology itself is not inherently harmful, he stressed the importance of preserving human dignity and creativity.
“Technology should assist humanity, not replace humanity,” he said.
He cautioned that AI can be misused to produce highly convincing false content, including manipulated images, videos, and audio that could deceive the public. Such developments, he warned, pose serious ethical challenges.
A Call to Media Practitioners
Speaking directly to Catholic media professionals, the Archbishop described journalism as a sacred calling rooted in truth and service to society.
“God could speak directly to humanity, but He has chosen to use you as instruments for communicating truth to society,” he said. “Your mission is to communicate the truth — nothing but the truth.”
He urged media practitioners to resist becoming agents of misinformation and to instead promote justice, authentic relationships, and moral clarity in their work.
Hope Amid Crisis
Despite the severity of Nigeria’s challenges, Archbishop Audu concluded on a note of cautious optimism, encouraging citizens not to lose hope.
“My message is simple: do not be afraid. God is still in charge. Nigeria can still become better if leaders act with sincerity and if citizens remain committed to truth and peace,” he said.
He called on Nigerians to support one another and remain steadfast in their pursuit of justice, unity, and peace.
“As Christians, we must continue being the light of the world and the salt of the earth; darkness cannot overcome light forever.”
- Raju Hasmukh with files from ACI Africa
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