PFN Calls for Immediate Action from Federal Government on Insecurity

Kemi Olaitan in Ibadan

The Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN) yesterday voiced deep concern over the worsening insecurity across the country, calling on the federal government to take immediate and decisive action to safeguard lives and restore peace.

PFN urged the government to fulfil its constitutional and moral duty of protecting every citizen, regardless of tribe or religion, so that Nigeria can truly become “a nation where no one is oppressed,” stressing that this is the foremost responsibility of governance.

The organization warned that the loss of value for human life has reached an intolerable height and urged the government to seek international assistance and partnership before the situation deteriorates further.

PFN President Bishop Francis Wale Oke made the declarations while addressing journalists in Ibadan, Oyo State, at the conclusion of the three‑day national fasting and prayer programme organised by the Christian body from May 22 to May 24, 2026.

He said Nigeria is facing a deepening crisis of insecurity that has reached “intolerable and unacceptable levels,” adding that the nation appears to have lost a collective sense of value for human life.

Bishop Oke noted that the pattern of killings, abductions, and repeated attacks across communities in different regions reflects not only a security failure but also a moral and governance crisis requiring urgent national attention.

He cited several high‑profile and recurring cases of abductions and killings, including the prolonged captivity of the Chibok schoolgirls and Leah Sharibu, alongside other victims of insurgency and banditry in the North‑East and North‑West, describing their continued captivity years after abduction as a national tragedy and a painful reminder of unresolved insecurity challenges that undermine public confidence in state protection.

He also referenced recent attacks in parts of the country, such as Oyo State, where teachers and pupils were abducted during a school invasion, noting that such incidents demonstrate the increasing spread of violent attacks beyond traditional hotspots into previously considered safe zones in the South‑West and other regions.

Bishop Oke lamented the absence of strong and sustained political will to confront insecurity decisively, warning that the situation is not only claiming lives but also eroding national unity and weakening the country’s socio‑economic stability.

According to him, insecurity has increased fear among citizens, disrupted farming activities in rural communities, discouraged investment inflows, and forced many young professionals to migrate abroad in search of safety and stability.

He warned against the “normalisation of violence,” maintaining that repeated exposure to killings and abductions risks desensitising citizens and weakening collective outrage against criminality.

The clergyman criticised the continued rehabilitation of so‑called “repentant” insurgents without adequate safeguards, stating that poorly managed policies could undermine trust in the justice and security system.

He also called for a comprehensive review of Nigeria’s security strategy, insisting that the protection of lives and property remains the primary constitutional responsibility of government at all levels.

“We are burdened for Nigeria today because we have lost our sense of value for human life and its sanctity,” Bishop Oke stated.

He added that the persistence of insecurity across multiple regions requires not only prayer but also a coordinated and effective governance response.

The PFN president also urged Christians across Nigeria to remain united in prayer, repentance, and civic engagement, calling on them to speak with one voice against the worsening security situation.