Advertisement

Amid Worsening Insecurity, Catholic Bishop Calls on Nigerians to Embrace Advent Hope, Queries Government Actions

Bishop Luka Sylvester Gopep. Credit: ACI Africa
Abah Anthony John

By Abah Anthony John

Abuja, 29 November, 2025 / 11:30 pm (ACI Africa).

Bishop Luka Sylvester Gopep has cautioned Nigerians against despair despite the country’s escalating security crisis, and urged citizens to embrace the hope offered by the Advent Season.

Speaking to ACI Africa on Thursday, November 27, on the sidelines of the National Annual General Meeting of the Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria (CSN), the Auxiliary Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Minna said the Advent Season serves as a beacon of hope for a nation battling kidnappings, insurgency, and widespread violence.

“Do not lose hope. Yes, there are challenges in Nigeria, but in the midst of all these, Christ is still with us. Let’s keep praying, keep looking to God, be hopeful, and it shall be well with us as a country,” Bishop Gopep said.

The Auxiliary Bishop of Minna, who doubles as chair of the Family, Health and Human Life Unit Commission of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria (CBCN), linked the Advent Season and the ongoing Catholic Church’s 2025 Jubilee Year to Nigeria’s present struggles. 

“Advent is a period of expecting a Savior. Looking at the crisis we are going through and the end of the jubilee year of hope, this is the proper time to remind the whole world not to lose hope,” he said.

Advertisement

For the Auxiliary Bishop of Minna Diocese, the Advent Season is an invitation to remain firm in faith even as the nation grapples with difficulties.

“Christ told us we should expect crisis, but in the face of crisis, we should not lose hope, because He promised to be with us till the end of time,” the Catholic Church leader said.

Nigeria has been battling with a surge of violence orchestrated by gangs, whose members carry out indiscriminate attacks, kidnapping for ransom, and in some cases, killing.

Boko Haram insurgency has been a major challenge in the country since 2009, a group that allegedly aims to turn Africa's most populous nation into an Islamic nation.

The insecurity situation in many other parts of the country has been further complicated by the involvement of the predominantly Muslim Fulani herdsmen, also referred to as the Fulani Militia.

More in Africa

Nigeria

Missionary Congregation Joins Call for Prayers for 265 Children still Held after Nigerian School Abductions

Read the article

In the November 27 interview, Bishop Gopep faulted the government’s handling of insecurity.

He questioned why security agencies respond swiftly to trivial incidents, such as the arrest of a young man in Kano for insulting the president online, yet fail to act decisively against kidnappers and terror groups who openly release videos.

“These bandits even boasted online about kidnapping schoolchildren in my diocese. Why is the government unable to track these people if they could track the young man in Kano?” he posed.

The Nigerian Catholic Bishop described witnessing convoys of armed bandits moving freely on major roads while ordinary citizens are harassed by security personnel. 

“Let us be honest with ourselves—they are not doing enough,” he said.

Trending

Advertisement

Bishop Gopep emphasized that Nigerians deserve honesty and accountability, saying, “We should tell ourselves the truth of what is happening.”

The Nigerian Catholic Bishop stated that authorities must provide convincing explanations, especially given the recurring patterns of attacks and the ease with which bandits operate.

 “They have to convince me because of the way things are happening,” he said.

Abah Anthony John

Abah Anthony John is a Nigerian Catholic journalist with passion for Church communication and media apostolate. He holds a bachelor’s degree in mass communication from Benue State University, Makurdi in Benue State Nigeria. He has a background in print, electronic and multi-media production.