Ignatius Kaigama, Catholic archbishop of Abuja, says the federal government and security agencies must adopt new strategies to address insecurity in the country.

Kaigama, who spoke in Abuja on Tuesday at the 2025 Chrism Mass held at Our Lady Queen of Nigeria Pro-Cathedral, said the “attackers are not ghosts” but people who “can be identified and punished”.

“We continue to witness criminality that robs people of their lives, which should be sacred. One can only imagine how many families are left devastated, traumatised, and broken severely,” he said.

“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.

“I think there is a need for inter-agency cooperation; the security agencies must collaborate to end this circle of killings in our country.

“These attackers are not ghosts; they are people who can be identified and punished. So, I am hoping that the government will take a new step in that regard.”

He urged government authorities to take decisive measures to break the cycle of violence, noting that security agencies must work together to end the recurrent killings in the country.

Kaigama commended Nigerians for their enduring resilience, noting that they are ready to celebrate “even in the midst of hardship”.

“Our president has promised us to do something about the insecurity. We are with him; we will support him,” he said.

“People are asking for just their rights and basic amenities; it is not a big deal to pay salaries and provide schools and hospitals with facilities.”

There have been spates of attacks across the country, with gunmen killing more than 100 people in Plateau communities in two weeks.

Kaduna state Governor Uba Sani declared that the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) will continue to dominate the state, saying it would soon become a one-party state.

The Governor disclosed that about four members of the House of Representatives from the opposition parties had decamped to the APC, adding that members of the Kaduna State House of Assembly from different zones had also decamped to the party.

Governor Uba Sani, who spoke at Zaria on Monday, argued that the defection of opposition members to the APC “is a good sign, and that shows that we are doing something positive; we are carrying everyone along in Kaduna state.”

House of Representatives Speaker Tajudeen Abbas distributed 117 vehicles, comprising 20 Hilux, 2 ambulances, 20 18-seater buses, 50 Sharon vehicles, and 25 sedan/saloon cars (Golf, Corolla & Peugeot 406). At the same time, 200 tricycles, popularly known as Keke NAPEP, and 1,000 motorcycles were given to various beneficiaries.

At the event, Governor Sani praised Speaker Abbas, saying that Kaduna State and the entire country are proud of his stewardship. He added that the laudable projects he was interested in in the state had his blessings.

In his address, Speaker Abbas thanked his constituents for their continued support and noted that he would do his best to attract people-oriented projects to them.

The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) says the money received from Rivers state government for the 2025 annual general conference (AGC) was a “gift”.

A statement issued on Monday by Emeka Obegolu, chairman of the AGC planning committee, said the legal body did not sell the hosting rights for the conference.

Earlier, the Rivers government, under the leadership of Ibok-Ete Ibas, the sole administrator, asked the NBA to refund the N300 million allegedly paid for the “hosting rights” of the conference by the state.

The government said if the NBA was truly anchored on principles, it should demonstrate it by returning the money.

The decision of the state government came after the NBA moved the AGC from Port Harcourt in Rivers state to Enugu.

The association premised its decision on “constitutional violations” in Rivers following the declaration of emergency rule in the state by President Bola Tinubu in March.

Responding to the comment of the Rivers government, the NBA said there was no bidding process or payment before the announcement of Rivers as the host of the conference.

The NBA explained that due to the huge cost of organising the conference, the legal body approaches individuals and state governments for “unconditional” support.

“We wish to clarify that the decision to host the 2025 AGC in Port Harcourt was taken in August 2024 and was not subject of any bidding process or payment of any hosting rights,” the statement reads.

“The host city has no hosting right and there is no representation by the NBA that the Conference must be held in a chosen city.
“Traditionally, because of the enormous cost involved in hosting the AGC, NBA Conference Planning Committee approaches organizations, agencies of government and state governments for support and the support requested for is unconditional and not tied to hosting rights or any rights whatsoever.

“Recent NBA conferences have been supported by different state governments, corporate organizations, ministries, departments and agencies whose budgets accommodate corporate social responsibilities and share the same vision with NBA.

“Such financial supports are in the form of gifts, partnerships or sponsorships. The money from Rivers State was a gift and was not tied to any purported hosting right for the NBA AGC.”