Anglican bishop decries rising terrorism, soaring crude oil prices

By Chinedu Adonu

Bishop of the Anglican Diocese of Enugu, Rt. Rev. Prof. Samuel Ike, has condemned the alarming rate of terrorism and killings in parts of the country and urged the government to rise to its responsibility.

Bishop Ike also lamented the persistent hike in petroleum product prices in Nigeria and called for urgent government intervention.

Bishop Ike called for what he described as “national repentance.”

In his 2026 Easter Message, the cleric expressed deep concern over Nigeria’s worsening security situation, citing the country’s ranking as the fourth most terrorised nation globally in the recent Global Terrorism Index report.

He lamented the continued loss of lives through terrorism, banditry, kidnapping, and other violent crimes, stressing that such bloodshed runs contrary to the sacrificial love exemplified by Jesus Christ.

“The incessant shedding of human blood and wanton destruction of lives is unacceptable. The sacrifice of Christ teaches compassion, love, and peaceful coexistence,” he said.

The Bishop questioned the effectiveness of the government’s security architecture, including the deployment of digital surveillance, drone intelligence, and Tucano jets, as well as the delayed implementation of state policing.

He also criticised what he described as excessive spending on foreign lobbying instead of addressing the root causes of insecurity.

On the economic front, Ike decried the sharp rise in fuel prices, noting that petrol currently sells between ₦1,350 and ₦1,410 per litre, while diesel is about ₦1,820 per litre.

He linked the surge to the ongoing Middle East conflict but questioned the state of Nigeria’s refineries despite huge investments in their rehabilitation.

“Where are our functional refineries? What has become of the funds committed to their turnaround?” he queried.

Delivering a message of hope, the cleric called on Nigerians to embrace the virtues of love, sacrifice, humility, and selfless leadership as exemplified during the Holy Week.

He explained that the season starting from Palm Sunday through Maundy Thursday and Good Friday to Easter Sunday represents the core of the Christian faith, culminating in the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

According to him, the resurrection is a powerful symbol of victory over suffering, sin, and death, offering hope for personal and national transformation.

He urged leaders at all levels to adopt servant leadership, promote unity across ethnic and social divides, and prioritise the welfare of the poor and vulnerable.

“The message of Easter is clear: through sacrifice, love, and faith, we can overcome even the darkest challenges as individuals and as a nation,” he added.

The Bishop concluded with a call for peace, urging Nigerians to surrender to God, embrace tolerance, and work collectively toward rebuilding the country.

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