Nigerian priest warns of rising insecurity and Christian persecution, accusing government inaction of endorsing terrorism and urging faith-driven change.
Newsroom (24/10/2025, Gaudium Press ) The Director of the Institute of Consecrated Life in Africa (InCLA), Fr. Peter Okonkwo, has raised alarm over the escalating insecurity and targeted persecution of Christians in Nigeria, describing the violence as a threat to both the Church and the nation’s moral fabric. Speaking to ACI Africa on October 22 during the commissioning of the Claretian community house in Abuja, Fr. Okonkwo accused the government of inaction, suggesting its silence effectively endorses the brutality of terrorists.
“We have seen parishes closed, missions abandoned, priests killed, and nuns kidnapped,” Fr. Okonkwo said. “Terrorists are trying to instill fear and silence the gospel.” He highlighted the closure of over 15 Catholic parishes in Makurdi Diocese due to worsening security and expressed dismay at the lack of visible efforts from federal or state authorities. “It is terrifying to see people kidnapped in the Federal Capital Territory. Our roads are unsafe, and people live in fear even in their homes,” he added.
Fr. Okonkwo, a Claretian missionary, pointed to a disturbing trend of attacks on churches and religious figures, suggesting an intent to suppress Christianity. He noted that while the violence often carries religious undertones, it has also morphed into a commercial and political enterprise. “Kidnapping is not limited to one group—it’s happening in the East, West, and South. It has become a business,” he said, accusing politicians of weaponizing insecurity for their own ends. “When leaders fail to act, people exploit the situation. Insecurity has become a tool in the hands of politicians.”
The priest criticized the government’s failure to protect citizens, arguing that this has eroded public trust in the state. “If Nigeria cannot protect its people, it is inviting everyone to defend themselves. The government’s silence is seen as an endorsement of these attacks, especially since many victims are Christians,” he said.
Beyond security concerns, Fr. Okonkwo addressed Nigeria’s moral and social challenges, noting that despite the country’s strong religious presence, corruption and dishonesty persist. “Nigeria is called a religious nation because of church attendance, but if everyone lived out their faith, Nigeria would be transformed,” he said. He lamented that many Christians compromise their values due to poverty and unemployment, prioritizing survival over integrity. “The truth sets us free, but many Nigerians sacrifice it because of hardship,” he said.
Fr. Okonkwo called for a renewed commitment to living out Christian values, emphasizing that true faith must extend beyond church attendance to influence leadership, work, and service. “The apostles were only twelve, but they changed the world. Today, Nigeria has millions of Christians, but little impact because many shy away from the truth,” he said. He urged religious leaders and the faithful to embody Christ’s mission through service, noting the contributions of religious institutes in running schools and hospitals as avenues for evangelization.
The Catholic official challenged Nigerian leaders to confront insecurity without bias and urged Christians to live out their faith authentically. “If Christians truly practice what they preach, Nigeria will change,” he said. “Faith must reflect in how we lead, work, and serve.”
- Raju Hasmukh with files from ACI Africa
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