Archbishop Martins to Tinubu: Nigeria Is Sliding Into Chaos, Act Urgently

The Catholic Archbishop of Lagos, Most Rev. Alfred Adewale Martins, has urged President Bola Tinubu to take swift and decisive action against terrorists and their sponsors, warning that Nigeria is “descending into chaos” amid rising insecurity.

In a statement issued by the Director of Social Communications for the Lagos Archdiocese, Very Rev. Fr. Anthony Godonu, the cleric described the recent wave of student kidnappings as disturbingly reminiscent of the 2014 abduction of the Chibok girls.

Archbishop Martins cited the killing of Maj. Gen. Muhammad Uba and the attack on worshippers in Eruku, Kwara State, as further evidence that the security situation has deteriorated to alarming levels.

“If terrorists can kill a serving army general in such a brazen manner, how secure is the average citizen?” he asked. “It shows there is genuine reason for every Nigerian to be concerned.”

He noted that terrorist attacks have surged in recent weeks, particularly following threats issued by U.S. President Donald Trump. “It seems there are elements making deliberate efforts to throw this nation into chaos,” he said.

Commenting on the recent abduction of schoolgirls, Martins condemned the murder of Vice Principal and Chief Security Officer, Hassan Yakubu Makuku, who was shot in his residence during the attack.

He described the kidnapping of girls aged 12 to 17 under the cover of darkness—after gunmen scaled the school fence and exchanged fire with police—as “tragic and unacceptable.”

While expressing relief that one student had managed to escape, the Archbishop said the Church remained “deeply troubled” about the safety of the remaining 24 still in captivity.

He called on the government to intensify efforts to safeguard citizens and restore public confidence in Nigeria’s security architecture.