“Living in constant fear”: Catholic Bishop in Nigeria Laments Worsening Insecurity in His Diocese

According to him, the attackers are gradually turning the once-peaceful Borgu kingdom into what he called a “bandit kingdom” by killing residents, forcing others to flee, and coercing some into becoming informants. 

“Their insecurity and killings have reached an unbearable level, leaving the people in constant fear and anguish, thereby making them lose hope,” he said.

Bishop Bulus insisted that the right to safety, education, and livelihood must be restored to the people. 

“The people of Agwara deserve to live without fear. Our children deserve a secure future, including the right to quality education. Families need to be able to farm their lands without fear of attack and sleep peacefully in their homes at night instead of hiding in the bush,” he said.

The Catholic Church leader described the situation as more than a local security challenge. 

“This is not just a local crisis, it is a humanitarian emergency that demands immediate and decisive action from the highest levels of government,” he said.

The Nigerian Catholic Bishop emphasized that the violence was tearing families apart and destroying livelihoods.

“As a people, we are deeply troubled by the loss of innocent lives in our communities. Families are being torn apart, livelihoods destroyed, and our people are gradually losing hope in the ability of leadership to protect them,” he said.

Beyond the immediate human cost, Bishop Bulus warned of looming economic and food security consequences if the insecurity is not addressed urgently. 

He cited the displacement of farmers following recent attacks, including in Kaswandagi, noting that many residents are now too afraid to return to their homes and farmlands.

“If those who have been displaced following the Kaswandagi attacks are unable to return to their homes and farms, we face the real possibility by next wet season of farming,” he said. 

The Local Ordinary of Kontagora warned that Borgu, traditionally known as the breadbasket of the Northwest, could soon become dependent on government relief. 

“Borgu, which has long served as the breadbasket of the Northwest, will instead need government relief,” he warned.

Calling for immediate intervention, he said, “We urge the state to urgently intervene and provide a lasting solution to this security crisis. We urge the government to urgently intervene and provide a lasting solution to this security crisis.”

The Local Ordinary of Kontagora Diocese, who doubles as chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) Niger State chapter, appealed to the Federal and State governments for the establishment of a fully equipped military base in Agwara, alongside fortified police stations and checkpoints. 

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“We need a military base and fortified police stations and checkpoints without delay,” he said.

He explained that the proposed base should include a mobile and armored detachment capable of pursuing and neutralizing armed groups whenever they emerge from their hideouts in the game reserve. 

“The military base should have a fully mobile and armored detachment, capable of pursuing and eliminating the bandits whenever they leave their hideout in the game reserve to terrorize the people,” Bishop Bulus said.

Highlighting the inadequacy of current security arrangements, the Nigerian Catholic Church leader revealed that the largest security presence in the entire area consists of just about 40 mobile police officers stationed at Papri since the kidnapping incident. 

Even more troubling, he said, their only means of transportation is two motorcycles provided by the Agwara Local Government. 

“Presently, the largest security force in this entire area is approximately 40 in number, and their sole transport is two motorcycles,” Bishop Bulus said.

Directly addressing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, he said, “Mr. President, we urge you to deploy adequate security personnel, provide necessary resources, and work with local stakeholders to restore peace. The time to act is now, before we lose more lives and before our communities lose faith entirely in the government’s capacity to protect them.”