The Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN) has called on the Federal Government to summon the political will to crush insurgents and bandits, declaring that the nation’s security crisis has reached an intolerable level.
Speaking at the end of a three-day national prayer and fasting programme in Sokoto State, the PFN National President, Bishop Francis Wale Oke—represented by the state chairman, Pastor Ben Musa—said the fellowship could no longer remain silent. Pastor Musa urged PFN members nationwide to unite in prayer, asking God to “scatter the enemies of the country.”
Dozens of Sokoto members marched peacefully, holding placards bearing inscriptions such as “Protect the Innocent”, “Nigeria Must Be Safe”, and “No to Economic Hardship”. They appealed to the Federal Government to fulfil its constitutional responsibility of protecting the lives and property of all Nigerians.
The PFN said it had resolved to speak out against the scourge of insecurity, “hoping that our government will give it the desired attention.” The group lamented that innocent citizens continue to be kidnapped, raped, and killed repeatedly, while political elites shamefully carry on with business as usual.
“These are unspeakable and despicable acts of terror,” the PFN said. “We are burdened by the loss of our sense of humanity—the unchecked rampage of bandits, murderous herdsmen killing farmers on their farms, and Boko Haram insurgents using the noble religion of Islam to perpetrate heinous violence against peaceful Nigerians.”
The fellowship particularly mourned “the apparent lack of a firm political will by our government to crush these horrible evils,” adding that empty promises had done no good. “Nigerians are sick and tired of this evil and the misplaced focus on winning elections by all means, rather than focusing the full weight of our law and federal might to crush the killers of Nigerians.”
The PFN also criticised the government’s policy of rehabilitating so-called repentant Boko Haram fighters, including drafting them into the security network. “The blood of the innocent demands more than promises. It demands immediate, effective action,” the group said.
Nevertheless, the PFN expressed faith that God would break the cycle of violence, answer prayers for the rescue of captives, and restore peace to Nigeria.