*Blame Buhari, APC of ineptitude, urging Nigerians to stop them in 2023
Catholic priests across the country have passed a vote of no confidence on the President Muhammadu Buhari-led Federal Government declaring that it has failed in its primary duty of protecting lives and property of Nigerians.
They stated that Buhari has failed to find solutions to the increasing spate of killings and kidnappings in the country, and want him to either resign or be impeached before more harm is done.The priests spoke during the burial of their colleague, Rev. Fr. Christopher Odia, who was murdered by suspected kidnappers at Ikabigbo, Etsako West Local Government Area of Edo State.
The priests spoke as the acting Governor of the state, Mr. Philip Shaibu, ordered traditional rulers across the state to engage local hunters and vigilantes to flush out criminal Fulani herdsmen from the forests in the state.
It was learnt that over 20 forests across the state have been taken over by suspected kidnappers believed to be Fulani herdsmen and their local criminal collaborators.
However, Shaibu, led other top government functionaries to pay last respect to the late
Odia, during the internment.
At the funeral mass held at the Priests’ Cemetery located in Immaculate Conception Seminary, Ivianokpodi-Agenebode in Etsako-East LGA, the National President of the Nigeria Catholic Diocesan Priests Association (NCDPA), Very Rev. Fr. Johnbosco Ezehi, tasked President Buhari to take urgent steps to guarantee the safety and security of Nigerians.
Ezehi’s said: “We condemn the increasing attacks by suspected herdsmen, who have turned the country into a massive graveyard.
“If the president cannot keep our country safe, then he automatically loses the trust of the citizens. He should no longer continue to preside over the killing field and mass graveyard that our country has become.“Nigerians call on the president to take drastic and urgent steps to reverse the ugly tragedy that threatens the foundation of our collective existence and unity as a nation.
“It’s clear to the nation that the president has failed in his primary duty of protecting the lives of Nigerians.”
Also, speaking, the Deputy Governor, Shaibu, said: “I must agree with our clerics that the government has failed in its responsibility of securing lives and property.
“If the issue of security was tackled earlier enough, we would not get to where we are today. We must turn to God to help us now as our land is troubled and only God will heal our land.
“As a state government, we have decided to take our destiny in our hands and not push the blame. We are collaborating with security agencies and stakeholders in securing our state.
“We have involved religious leaders and vigilante groups, among others and have adequately equipped them to strengthen our security architecture. We want to secure the property and lives of our people.”
Earlier in his homily, the Catholic Bishop of Auchi Diocese, Most. Rev. Gabriel Dunia, said: “I appeal to the federal, state and local governments, as the Lord has entrusted the leadership and security of Nigeria into their hands, to do the needful by protecting the lives and property of the people which is their primary responsibility.”
*Edo govt tasks traditional rulers
Meanwhile, rising from an emergency security meeting, which had traditional rulers, opinion leaders and security agencies in attendance, Comrade Shuaibu gave instructions that traditional rulers must use local vigilante groups and hunters to flush out Fulani terrorists from forests in the state.
Part of the resolutions, made available to reporters also directed heads of the 18 LGAs in the state to provide stipends and needed resources for the vigilantes and hunters on a monthly basis to comb the forests and flush out suspected criminals, even as traditional rulers would henceforth be held responsible for any act of kidnapping and terrorism that occurs in their domains.
The statement read in part: “That everybody currently residing in any forest in Edo State in the guise of camping should vacate such areas with immediate effect. The acting governor has mandated all acting Local Government Area heads to use all the security apparatus, including the police, army, vigilante groups, hunters and others to forcefully remove any erring groups or individuals within the next 10 days.
“That henceforth, any traditional ruler and village head who collects money from any herdsmen, therefore, permitting any form of camping or grazing in any Edo State forest should refund such money and ask the herdsmen to leave with immediate effect.”
It was noted that after, 10 days from the day of the meeting, traditional rulers would be held responsible for kidnappings in their areas.
