Bishop Jude Arogundade, the bishop of Ondo’s Catholic diocese, Owo, has called on the federal government to be more proactive. Especially with regard to protecting the lives and property of its citizens. Arogundade made the call while delivering his sermon at the reopening of St. Francis Catholic Church in Owo, Ondo State, which was closed for about 10 months after some suspected terrorists attacked and killed no fewer than 40 worshippers with several others injured in the church.
The bishop, who expressed dismay at last year’s attack on the church, said the government had failed. He further stated they should apologize to the Nigerians for the unwarranted attacks that claimed lives and hurt defenceless worshipers.
He said-
“We have to call ourselves back to the greater understanding of what is happening in our society today. I have never seen a nation so comfortable watching the killings of its citizens on a daily basis in hundreds and nothing has been done for the past 15 years.
“It doesn’t happen in other places. I don’t know why the government has refused to apologise to the citizens they failed. A government which failed or cannot protect its citizens is not worthy to be called a government.
“I wish to say this without fear of anyone that the government of this country has failed us and you, pressmen, should record me very well; they have failed in the area of protecting the lives and property of the people.
“Almost on a daily basis we hear people being killed in their tens and hundreds; many people have even forgotten what happened in this church 10 months ago, because many more have happened without the world paying attention.
“The government must wake up and show strength and courage and make sure those who carried out the evil attack that took place in this church and the evil going around our country are brought to book and punished accordingly.”
The bishop urged the leaders piloting the affairs of the country to frontally tackle bloodletting killings, kidnapping, banditry and other crimes.
cc: Punch Ng
