From Jude Chinedu, Enugu
The Bishop of the Anglican Diocese of Enugu, Prof. Samuel Ike, has criticised President Bola Tinubu鈥檚 handling of the nation鈥檚 worsening security challenges, calling for urgent reforms and a probe of top security officials.
Speaking at a press conference yesterday, ahead of the second session of the 19th Synod of the Diocese holding from June 26 to 29, at St. Paul鈥檚 Church, China Town, Enugu, with the theme 鈥淟iving by every word of God,鈥 the cleric demanded the creation of state and community policing to tackle insecurity and urged the president to investigate alleged complicity among the security chiefs.
Ike, who decried the rising insecurity across the country, said the current structure of the security architecture had failed to address the scourge of terrorism and banditry.
鈥淲e urge the president to cause, whether by legislative agenda or whatever process, the creation of state and community police by an act of parliament.
鈥淭his will help to end the current insecurity situation in the country and remove Nigeria鈥檚 name from the global terrorism index.
鈥淭hat is not the image of a true Nigerian; it is robbing in the reputation of an average Nigerian. It鈥檚 really affecting the psyche of every Nigerian in every airport across the world,鈥 he said.
He called on President Tinubu to go beyond condolence visits to victims of herdsmen attacks and take decisive steps to unearth what he described as 鈥渟trongly rumoured complicity and collusion鈥 between top security officials and insurgents.
鈥淭he president should also investigate the wide rumours that our top security chiefs are turning this war against insurgency and terrorism into honey pots of multi-million business empires. We鈥檝e read about security chiefs who diverted millions of Naira meant to fight insurgency.
鈥淭he president should take decisive action and where these officers are found negligent, complicit and guilty of these allegations, they should be prosecuted and flushed out.
鈥淲e demand that the president should place a perform or be sacked order on the service chiefs. We also urge the president to cause a release of all the drones, including Tucano Jets, the country spent billions and bought for the purpose of the war against insurgency.
鈥淭he information we have is that a lot of those jets are not being used. So, why did we waste money buying the equipment while the reason for which they were purchased is still prevalent?鈥
Turning to the nation鈥檚 democratic journey, the cleric congratulated Nigeria on 26 years of uninterrupted civilian rule but lamented that the dividends of democracy were yet to trickle down to ordinary Nigerians.
He expressed concern over the deepening poverty, inflation, and rising cost of living, with nearly half the population living below the international poverty line of $2.15 per day.
鈥淕overnment agencies with the statutory functions in the country must do something to regulate these things. The fight against corruption seems to be weak, tepid and timid.
鈥淎nd the lifestyles of most of our leaders are not helping matters. The spending spree among those in government are clearly fuelling corruption by the day.
鈥淚f our leaders should cut their appetite for flamboyant lifestyle, and live in tandem with the prevalent situation in the country, it will change a lot about the perception by the masses. We need a change of mindset and attitudinal change to move Nigeria forward.鈥
Speaking on the synod鈥檚 theme, Bishop Ike said it aligns with the church鈥檚 revival mission under his leadership, adding that national revival is also possible if Nigerians embrace moral and spiritual reawakening.
鈥淲hen a nation or society begins to experience revival, there鈥檚 a palpable experience of God鈥檚 presence, power and glory. There鈥檚 also joy, peace and prosperity among the people.
鈥淎nd these can only happen when the people fulfil the following three R conditions: Renewed obedience through the word of God; repentance from every known sin and relentless in making self-induced prayers,鈥 he said.