BY ANKELI EMMANUEL, Sokoto

Worried by the consistency of the attacks and killings by suspected gunmen in Plateau state, Speaker of the 7th National Assembly and Senator representing Sokoto South Senatorial District, Rt. Hon. Aminu Waziri Tambuwal has discribed the scenario as the peak of cruelty.

Tambuwal, who is also the immediate past governor of Sokoto State, said the recent wave of violent attacks which have left scores dead and displaced entire communities in Plateau State should be highly condemned by all well meaning human beings.

The former governor in a post on his official X (formerly Twitter) handle, described the killings and destruction as “cruel, unjustified, and intolerable”, adding “”no sane society should turn a blind eye while innocent lives are taken and communities laid to waste.

““I strongly condemn the recent wave of horrific killings and destruction across communities in Plateau State. “These senseless attacks are cruel, unjustified, and must never be tolerated.” Tambuwal warned.

While extending his heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families and all those affected, the lawmaker expressed solidarity with the people of Plateau during what he described as a painful and trying time.

In his charge to the Federal Government to live up to its constitutional duty of protecting lives and property, Tambuwal said, the Federal Government must live up to its primary responsibility.

“”I urge the security agencies to act swiftly and decisively. The perpetrators must be brought to justice. We cannot allow Nigeria to continue on this dangerous path of violence and impunity,” Tambuwal warned.

Says Nigeria A Wounded, Bleeding Nation In Need of Healing

Says God Weeping For Nigeria Because Of Corruption, Banditry, Terrorism, Bloodshed

The Catholic Archbishop of Abuja Diocese, Most Rev Ignatius Kaigama, has called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to deal decisively with insecurity in Nigeria, which, he said, has developed branches and spreading like a monster across the country.

Describing Nigeria as “a wounded and bleeding nation in need of healing”, he said all security operatives must restrategize in their approach to end the widespread insecurity in the country, while resources allocated to fight crimes in the country must be used honestly and transparently.

Kaigama stated these in an interview with journalists on the sidelines of a Chrism Mass held Our Lady Queen of Nigeria Pro-Cathedral in Abuja.

“The Chrism Mass gathers us priests as one presbyterate, one family of faith, around the Bishop, to bless the oils of the sick, the catechumens, and sacred Chrism, and for each priest to renew his priestly commitment as “alter Christus” – another Christ”, the cleric explained.

Kaigama said, “When the Catholic Bishop went to see him (President Bola Tinubu). We had to appeal to the President that they must rise to the occasion, and things are well.

“There was a time when it was only Boko Haram; another time it was militant herdsmen. Now, insecurity has diversified. Criminality has developed branches. It is a monster, spreading in all directions. There is a need for restrategizing. Whatsoever the security agencies are doing has worked to an extent, but there is no solution yet.

“There should be an inter-agency corporation. There should be no competition. All the security forces should go all out for criminals. These people are not ghosts.

“I am hoping that a new step will be taken. We insist that good work must be done. The resources voted for security must be used honestly and transparently.”

Earlier while delivering his message, Kaigama said not only are priests in need of healing, but the citizens and Nigeria need it too.

He said, “Our nation needs healing from the festering wounds inflicted by politics, and harsh economic realities that do not only result in crimes and violence but subsequently, to unsound minds of our dear young people. We continue to witness criminality that robs people of their lives which should be sacred.

“The brutal killings in Ondo, Uromi, Bokkos, and Borno; the several killings in Southern Kaduna including the cruel murder of a priest of Kafanchan diocese; the killings of some 16 soldiers recently, and many untold killings show a wounded and bleeding nation in need of healing.

“One can only imagine how many families are left devastated, traumatized, and broken severely. By now, one would think that with the combination of modern technology and non-kinetic methods, criminality would have been greatly reduced in Nigeria. The recurring violence in different parts of the nation is a sign of a nation in need of healing. How criminals known as “unknown gunmen,” kidnappers, terrorists, militant herdsmen, etc., are nearly never always apprehended and decisively dealt with is puzzling.

“They appear, kill, burn houses, and farms, injure people, and disappear, and only later to stage a comeback inflicting more damage than previously, costing innumerable loss of human lives. It appears that we have yet to get the right technology to hunt these criminals down, or is it the absence of goodwill or political will?

“We are not only spiritually sick but also economically, politically, and socially. We need individual and collective healing. Luke 19:41 tells us that as Jesus nears the city of Jerusalem, He pauses and weeps. His tears are not for Himself, but for Jerusalem, for those who will reject Him, for the destruction that will come upon them because they did not recognize the time of God’s visitation.

“What makes God weep for Nigeria? Corruption, banditry, terrorism, bloodshed, etc. Despite the strong presence and the external practice of Christianity and Islam, many, reject the truth of God’s word and choose to conceal it and not bear witness to it; we put people who speak the truth down; we refuse to be instruments of God’s love and mercy to others; we choose to live in sin rather than God’s grace and mercy. We place others on the cross by our hatred and rejection of them.”

By Israel Bulus, Kaduna

Prominent leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) under the Umbrella of the Southern Kaduna United Visionary Leaders have reiterated their unwavering commitment to the party, dismissing concerns over the growing presence of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and Social Democratic Party (SDP) in the region.

The leaders made the declaration at an APC stakeholders’ meeting held in Chori, Jaba Local Government Area of Kaduna State.

Addressing attendees, the host and Political Adviser to the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Godfrey Ali Gaiya, praised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Governor Uba Sani for promoting inclusive governance. He assured that the group would continue to rally behind the administration to strengthen APC’s political foothold in Southern Kaduna.

“Our goal is to make the APC not just popular but deeply rooted in Southern Kaduna through increased membership, quality representation, and strategic political appointments,” Gaiya said. He also called for unity and peaceful coexistence, noting that development thrives only in a stable and united environment.

In his address, Mr. Ado Dogo Audu, Chairman of the group and Counsellor on Political Affairs to the Governor, played down the perceived threat posed by the SDP in Zone 3 of Kaduna State. He said recent defections to the APC are a testament to the party’s people-centric policies at both state and national levels.

“APC’s inclusive structure continues to draw support from across the region,” Audu stated.

Echoing similar sentiments, Dr. Abdulmalik Durungwa emphasized the importance of deepening grassroots engagement, calling on members to make the party more visible and impactful at the community level.

Meanwhile, the National Secretary of the Renewed Hope Consolidation Mandate, Professor Dogara Matoh, urged party members to remain united and avoid divisive politics rooted in religion, ethnicity, or regionalism, especially as the 2027 elections draw nearer.

Highlighting the role of grassroots politicians, Mr. Rijo Shekari described local appointees—councilors and local government chairmen—as critical links between government and the people.

He urged them to constantly engage their constituents on government policies and developmental initiatives.

Engineer Joseph Chiroma advised party faithful to stay aligned with the party’s internal structures to avert internal conflicts. He also commended Elder Anthony Hassan for laying the groundwork for the establishment of the Federal University of Applied Sciences in Kachia, calling it a landmark achievement for the grassroots.

The meeting concluded with a renewed call for unity and proactive political mobilization as the APC intensifies efforts to consolidate its presence across Southern Kaduna.