Nuncio praises Nigerian bishops for peace efforts amid call for government action

‘Every Nigerian is called to be an agent of healing, to reject hatred and retaliation, to speak words that foster understanding and to uphold justice, dialogue and mutual respect.’

The apostolic nuncio to Nigeria praised the country’s bishops for their commitment to the Church and the nation as they met following weeks of worsening insecurity.

Archbishop Michael Crotty addressed the opening of the plenary assembly of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria (CBCN) on Monday, commending the work of the conference and the leadership of its outgoing president Archbishop Lucius Iwejuru Ugorji of Owerii.

The theme of the plenary was “The Common Good and Leadership in Nigeria”, and Crotty praised the CBCN for their statement issued in November 2025, entitled “Peace in Nigeria: Moving from Fragility to Stability”.

He described it as a timely intervention in the face of worsening insecurity, applauding the bishops for urging authorities to fulfil their constitutional duty to protect lives and property.

Quoting from the document, he reiterated the call for unity across divides: “Every Nigerian is called to be an agent of healing, to reject hatred and retaliation, to speak words that foster understanding, and to uphold justice, dialogue and mutual respect.”

The nuncio emphasised the significance of the plenary coinciding with the Feast of the Chair of St Peter, a celebration of the authority and mission given by Christ to Peter and his successors. He reminded the bishops of their upcoming ad limina visit to Rome, saying that it would be an opportunity to renew communion with Pope Leo XIV and to share the hopes and challenges of the Church in Nigeria with the Roman Curia.

He emphasised that peace requires leadership at every level – in homes, communities, churches, workplaces and political life – and that all be directed towards the common good.

Earlier in the week, Bishop Bulus Yohanna of Kontagora, in the northern part of Nigeria’s Middle Belt, called on the Nigerian government and military authorities to establish a base in Niger State to increase security in the region. 

He warned of growing dangers from terrorists forcing people to act as informants. His diocese includes St Mary’s School in Papiri where bandits kidnapped 320 people in November. 

In a statement last week, Bishop Yohana called for “a fully equipped military base capable of pursuing and neutralising armed groups whenever they emerge from their hideouts” and for the government to “deploy adequate security personnel, provide necessary resources and work with local stakeholders to restore peace”. 

The bishop thanked the government for the cooperation which resulted in the safe release and return of all the children and staff kidnapped from the school. 

In Kaduna State, the authorities reported the abduction of 183 Christians in three different incidents over the past weeks, but said all had been released or rescued. 

The ecclesiastical provinces of Kaduna, Abuja and Jos, encompassing over 20 dioceses in northern Nigeria, issued a joint appeal against insecurity last week. 

“The persistent incidents of kidnapping for ransom, killings of innocent citizens, invasion and occupation of farming communities, and widespread displacement have created fear, trauma and deep uncertainty among our people,” they said.  

“Farmlands meant to sustain life have increasingly become places of danger, forcing many farmers to abandon their means of livelihood and thereby worsening hunger and poverty.” 

The statement continued: “A society cannot flourish where human life is continually threatened. We therefore call on all tiers of government and security agencies to intensify efforts towards the protection of lives and property, for peace can only endure where justice is upheld.”

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