The insecurity in the country has degenerated to the level where Nigerians now pay taxes and other levies to terrorists, bandits and other criminals, failure of which their lives are terminated. Does it not surprise you that the government has abdicated its responsibilities to protect the lives and properties of the people? Non-state actors, such as terrorists, bandits and kidnappers are successfully enforcing payment of taxes and levies on innocent and struggling Nigerians when the government cannot even make people pay taxes. Life has become so short and brutish that no one is sure who the next victim will be. Hunger has taken over the land because people cannot go to farms anymore and the government is displaying helplessness in protecting the people.
However, in the midst of this despair, there is hope that God will reverse the situation for us all. I wonder why government exists when it cannot protect the lives of Nigerians and rekindle hope in their nation. Our leaders need to work more assiduously towards offering good governance for which they were elected in the first instance. They must show more sincerity and resilience in their fight against insecurity and provide the enabling environment for all hardworking and progressive minded citizens to profit from their honest hard work without any form of harassment or intimidation. All criminals, be they bandits, kidnappers or herdsmen must be made to face the law.
There should be no selective justice. A situation whereby only a few privileged Nigerians close to those in authority seem to be enjoying all the goodies at the expense of the majority does not augur well for our collective wellbeing. No individual or ethnic group should be above the law or made to feel superior or more privileged than others. There should be equity and justice for all; after all, the country belongs to all of us. My dear brothers and sisters, do not give up on the readiness of God to take control of the affairs of this country, having been consistently hit by harsh economic realities and insecurity.
- Most Rev. (Dr.) Alfred Adewale Martins, Archbishop of the Metropolitan See of Lagos.
