Ondo Catholic Bishop Laments Insecurity, says Govt Not Serious

The Catholic Bishop of Ondo Diocese, Jude Arogundade, has called on the Ondo State Governor, Mr Lucky Aiyedatiwa, to devise means of curbing the spate of kidnapping and other forms of insecurity across the state.

PUNCH Online reports that three people were robbed and abducted by some hoodlums at the Comprehensive Health Centre, Oke Ijebu area of Akure, in the early morning of Saturday.

The victims were, however, abandoned by the hoodlums in a bush along the Ondo-Akure expressway after money was transferred from their bank accounts.

They were later rescued by men of the state Security Network Agency, also known as Amotekun.

Speaking after the mass to commemorate Palm Sunday at the Sacred Heart Cathedral, Akure, the state capital, on Sunday, Arogundade said a lot needed to be done by the federal and state governments to protect the lives and properties of the people.

Expressing displeasure over the rate of kidnapping in the state, the cleric stated that the governor needed to be more proactive, saying the bandits were gradually entering the state capital.

He said, “I don’t think our government is serious again. I will just say that because if you look at our town here in Akure, Akure is being invaded. These strange people are coming in—where are they coming from? And the government will say they don’t know what is going on?

“They (strange people) are particularly taking hold of strategic places, and everybody is looking helpless, until they begin to strike and kill people again, before people begin to react. The person who is supposed to preside over the security of Nigeria just said last week that these terrorists are prodigals. My goodness, how do you minimise the enormity of what these guys have done against this country?

“They have practically declared war against Nigeria, its government, and all the law-abiding citizens of this country. And you call them prodigal sons? The prodigal son in the Bible didn’t kill his father, nor did he kill his brother to take over property. The prodigal son went, he lost everything, and he was caring for the swine. He didn’t kill the owner of the swine to take over everything.

“So, please, in a civilised country, that man should resign. What kind of nonsense is that? We lost 41 people here in my diocese, and those who killed them are prodigal sons? I don’t think this country is serious. We Nigerians say they don’t know what is going on. It’s getting to that time when we have to ask the obvious question.”

He, however, called on citizens to pray and be vigilant about their environment, while urging the government to do its part.

“We have to pray—that is our duty as Christians. We have to pray, but at the same time, the government has to take responsibility. Not until people say, it has become… I used to be one of those who doubted whether this is really a genocide. It’s going on, and it’s sweeping. We see them on Facebook, we see them on all social media and other media outlets. So, it’s getting to that time when we have to come together and talk about this situation.

“Within one year, not even up to one year, Akure has been invaded, and the government will tell you they don’t know about it? Even the small child in the street knows what is going on. This is the only country where you have a situation where unbelievable things are happening,” he added.

On the Palm Sunday celebration, Arogundade said it commemorated the triumphant entry of Jesus Christ into Jerusalem to prepare for His passion and death on the cross.

“Who have suffered with Him, who have journeyed with Him, will rise with Him into glory. This is the teaching of Christianity: that in participating in His life and death, we will also participate and be part of His life and resurrection.

“So, Palm Sunday begins the Holy Week, in which everyone is called to a deeper consciousness of the part that our Lord Jesus Christ played, and continues to play, in human salvation”, he concluded.

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