Prosecute Terrorism Suspects Without Delay – Catholic Bishops Urge Federal Government

By Ayodele Oni

Catholic Bishops in Nigeria, (CBCN) have decried unnecessary delay in the prosecution of suspects arrested in connection with terrorism.

The Bishops, who rose from their meeting in Orlu, Imo State, also decried the worsening cases of killings and kidnapping in Nigeria, saying it was sad that armed robbery and cybercrimes had also continued unabated.

 “Attacks on travellers and worshippers in Churches and other places of worship have become too frequent. An instance is the recent mass shooting and bombing attacks on St Francis Catholic Church, Owo, Ondo State, in which 41 worshippers were killed and 70 grievously injured.

“Regrettably, the government has not lived up to its duties with regard to security. We observe that even when suspects have been arrested, there was no even diligent prosecution of the culprits of these nefarious acts, thereby leaving the citizenry helpless and despairing.”

These were contained in a communiqué issued at the end of  Second Plenary Meeting of the Sacred Heart Pastoral/Retreat Centre, Orlu, Imo State and signed by  President, Most Rev Lucius Iwejuru Ugorji, and Secretary, Most Rev. Donatus Aihmiosion Ogun.

The Clergymen also advised the federal government against taking the striking Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) to to court saying “We believe that a resort to courts may not be the best and fastest way to solve the problem.”

On 2023 poll, the clerics stated that “Elections are fast approaching. We commend the National Assembly and the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria for enacting and signing into law, the Electoral Bill 2022.

“We acknowledge the President’s commitment to ensuring a level playing ground for all candidates in the elections. Furthermore, we commend the INEC for its innovations, especially, in the area of technology, to ensure free, fair and credible elections.

“We, however, enjoin the commission to ensure that this technology is transparently deployed, in order to increase the confidence of the people in the electoral process. Politics is a noble vocation.

“While it is not our responsibility as religious leaders to dictate to political parties the choices of their presidential, vice presidential and other candidates, we have the duty to advise the citizenry to bear in mind the implications of these choices while electing the next set of leaders.

“We, therefore, renew our call on all our faithful, laity and clergy alike, to come out en masse to vote for people of unassailable integrity, who have the good character, capacity and track record to lead our nation out of the present socio-political and economic doldrums, irrespective of party, religious and ethnic affiliations.”

They emphasized that  Nigerians deserve credible and reliable leaderships at all levels to redirect the nation to the path of greatness, saying flawless elections would be a good remedial step to combating some of the challenges shaking the nation.