The Catholic Archbishop of Lagos, Most Rev. Dr. Alfred Adewale Martins, has raised fresh concerns over the rising wave of insecurity across Nigeria, warning that the nation is gradually sliding into chaos unless the Federal Government takes more decisive action against terrorists.
Archbishop Martins, in a strongly worded statement, condemned the predawn attack of Monday, 17 November 2025, at the Government Girls Comprehensive Secondary School, Maga, Kebbi State, where 25 students were abducted from their dormitory. He also bemoaned a similar assault on St. Mary’s Catholic School, Papiri, in Agwara Local Government Area of Niger State on Friday, 21 November 2025, where more schoolchildren were kidnapped.
The Archbishop likened the incidents to the 2014 abduction of the Chibok girls, describing them as a painful reminder of Nigeria’s persistent failure to protect its young and vulnerable.
He further condemned the kidnapping of a Catholic priest, Father Bobbo Paschal, from St. Stephen Catholic Church in Kushe Gudgu, Kaduna State, during which Gideon Markus — brother to another priest — was killed while attempting to intervene. According to him, these attacks reflect the growing confidence and brutality of those intent on destabilizing the nation.
Martins questioned how such coordinated assaults could occur despite repeated claims by security agencies of being on high alert. He described the abduction of the Kebbi schoolgirls — aged between 12 and 17 — and the killing of the school’s Vice Principal and Chief Security Officer, Hassan Yakubu Makuku, as further proof of the country’s deteriorating security architecture. Although one student has reportedly escaped, 24 remain in captivity.
The Archbishop also referenced the recent killing of Army General Muhammad Uba by terrorists and the attack on worshippers in a church in Eruku, Kwara State, stressing that the situation has become intolerable.
“If terrorists can murder a serving army general so brazenly, one wonders how secure the average Nigerian is,” he lamented.
He urged the Tinubu administration and security agencies to urgently fulfil their constitutional duty of safeguarding lives and property, warning that public confidence is rapidly eroding. He also called on political leaders to put aside differences and unite behind the fight against terrorism, insisting that all perpetrators and their sponsors must be brought to justice.
Martins emphasized that time is running out and insisted that all abducted citizens should be rescued without delay, declaring that no effort should be spared in restoring order and protecting the nation’s future.
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