Nigeria must examine its conscience and confront the roots of insecurity and corruption, the Catholic Archbishop of Abuja, Most Rev. Dr. Ignatius Kaigama, has said, stressing that the country cannot continue to shield leaders who loot national resources while citizens suffer.
Preaching at St. Luke’s Catholic Church in Kubwa during the Feast of Christ the King on Sunday, Kaigama said Nigeria’s security woes show that neither wealth nor religion has translated into good governance or moral conduct.
The Archbishop confirmed about 500 members of the parish, describing them as “recruited soldiers for Christ,” and urged them to work for peace and integrity.
He questioned how a nation widely seen as deeply religious continues to be overwhelmed by killings, kidnappings and corruption. “Churches and mosques are full every week, yet evil persists. Where do these perpetrators come from?” he asked.
Kaigama said the legacy of the civil war contributed to tribal and religious discrimination in government, fostering a system in which corrupt officials are defended rather than punished. “Until we stop protecting leaders who steal public wealth, Nigeria will not move forward,” he said.
Comparing Nigeria with other oil-producing nations, he pointed to Equatorial Guinea as an example of better governance, saying Nigeria has “nothing to show” for its vast oil resources.
He also challenged the police to rebuild trust and criticised foreign powers who propose military action in Nigeria. He urged the United States and others to support development rather than carry out interventions that devastate nations. “We do not need the kind of help that destroys and abandons, like in Afghanistan or Iran,” he said.
Calling for prayers for kidnapped students, slain security personnel and families affected by violence, the Archbishop urged Nigerians to embrace genuine compassion. “The God who allows you to kill another for personal gain is not the true God. We need peace in the hearts of over 250 million Nigerians,” he said.
He appealed for leaders, elected and unelected, to act with sacrifice and selflessness, arguing that Nigeria cannot move forward without justice, accountability and love.
