The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has issued a strong condemnation of the recent attack on Christ Apostolic Church in Eruku, Kwara State, highlighting serious concerns over the Federal Government’s handling of Nigeria’s growing insecurity. According to the party, the government’s defensive posture and tendency to downplay threats is turning what was once dismissed as a ‘Christian genocide’ narrative into a dangerous reality.
In a statement released by ADC’s National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, the party criticized the Tinubu administration for responding to rising violence with denial rather than decisive action. Abdullahi noted that the brutal killing of worshippers and the abduction of several others, including the church pastor, during a routine service reflects how deeply insecurity has entrenched itself across the country.
“This tragedy is another painful reminder of the pervasive insecurity that has taken roots across the country,” the statement read, stressing the need for urgent government intervention.
The Eruku incident occurred just hours after gunmen attacked school officials and kidnapped students in Kebbi State, painting a grim picture of the frequency and boldness of criminal activities. To the ADC, these attacks reveal a disturbing pattern: criminals now operate with near impunity, emboldened by a government that has yet to act decisively.
“This particularly brutal attack and abduction gives the impression that this government has lost control, and Nigerians now live at the mercy of gunmen who are increasingly confident due to the government’s inaction,” Abdullahi said.
The party also expressed deep concern that the ‘Christian genocide’ claim, previously dismissed as alarmist, is gaining credibility because of the administration’s failure to confront the issue transparently and honestly. ADC warned that the situation risks becoming a self-fulfilling prophecy if urgent steps are not taken.
Further criticism was directed at a recent remark by Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar, who reportedly stated that only 177 Christians had been killed over the past five years. Abdullahi described this comment as insensitive and indicative of a government that does not fully comprehend the depth of the crisis.
“We find this statement unfortunate and offensive. If this reflects the thinking within the Federal Government, it explains why the government has failed to address the problem and why it cannot be trusted to solve it,” Abdullahi stated.
Highlighting the human cost of violence, the ADC emphasized that reducing deaths to statistics diminishes the suffering of victims and their families. “Deaths cannot be reduced to numbers. It does not matter how many people have been killed or what religion or language they speak. One poor elderly woman, cut down by bullets while she prays, is one life too many,” the statement said.
Abdullahi accused the administration of offering excuses instead of taking responsibility, warning that such inaction is worsening public despair and eroding trust in government. “Under this Tinubu administration, Nigeria is fast turning into a killing field, and the President does not appear to recognize that his most important duty is to protect life,” he added.
The ADC called on the government to confront the mounting security crisis with sincerity and urgency, insisting that Nigerians deserve more than empty rhetoric. “Nigeria is bleeding, communities are grieving, families are being destroyed, and the government continues to respond with excuses, denial, and dangerous rhetoric,” the statement warned.
The party concluded by urging immediate action to restore safety across the country, particularly in places of worship and vulnerable communities. “Nigerians deserve protection, not platitudes. Our houses of worship must be safe, our communities must be safe, our country must be safe,” the ADC declared.
0 Comments