Pastor Tunde Bakare, Serving Overseer of the Citadel Global Community Church, has called on the Federal Government to suspend all non-essential gatherings in vulnerable areas nationwide and place such locations under emergency security patrols.
Bakare made the call on Sunday during his State of the Nation address titled “The Darkness before Dawn” at the church’s Lagos headquarters, according to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).
He acknowledged that the move might be perceived as militarisation but described it as a necessary and temporary step to halt the surge in terrorist attacks and mass kidnappings.
“The suspension of mass gatherings and increased emergency patrols must be taken to prevent further mass kidnappings,” he said.
Bakare stated that attacks had intensified since former U.S. President Donald Trump redesignated Nigeria as a “Country of Particular Concern” over alleged government-tolerated killings of Christians.
He cited a series of recent incidents, including the ambush of troops, the abduction of secondary school students in Kebbi, the attack on worshippers in Kwara, and the kidnapping of pupils in Niger State.
While welcoming the release and escape of some of the victims, he said the unrelenting assaults underscored the need for “fundamental interventions” in governance, security, and foreign policy.
‘Leadership Failure Fuelled Terror Networks’
Bakare said decades of leadership failure had allowed local disputes—particularly between Hausa farmers and Fulani pastoralists—to evolve into entrenched terror networks.
“Whether the violent attacks are motivated by land grab, ethnicity or religion, the situation is the height of failure to guarantee security and welfare,” he said.
He insisted that the state must dismantle camps of armed groups hiding under the guise of herdsmen or other identities, adding that violent activities by IPOB, ESN and unknown gunmen had ranged from revolt to outright criminality.
Bakare said the trial and sentencing of Nnamdi Kanu, coinciding with heightened global attention on Nigeria, had reopened old wounds, stressing the need for equity for the South East.
He recalled that at the 2014 National Conference, his committee supported the creation of an additional state for the South East in the spirit of fairness.
Calls for Restructuring, Compensation and Security Reforms
Bakare reiterated his call for restructuring as the foundation for national cohesion and stability.
He acknowledged President Bola Tinubu’s recent steps, including the withdrawal of police officers from VIP protection, but urged more far-reaching reforms.
Among his recommendations were:
Creation of a Victims and Survivors Register
A national apology to communities affected by terrorism
A nationally driven framework for state police to prevent abuse
Replacement of NYSC with a two-year scheme, the first year dedicated to military training
Standardisation of the national identity management system
A constitutional referendum to give Nigerians a direct say in governance reforms
Bakare said Nigeria must heal from the civil war and adopt a governance structure that assures equity across all regions.
Encouraging Nigerians not to lose hope, he added:
