Church News
Bishop Stephen Dami Mamza of Nigeriaʼs Catholic Diocese of Yola has said the countryʼs inability to defeat terrorism is not due to a lack of military resources but rather the absence of the political will needed to end the persistent insecurity that has claimed thousands of lives in the West African country.
Speaking to ACI Africa, the sister service of EWTN News in Africa, on the sidelines of the Catholic Menʼs Organization (CMO) meeting of the Jos Ecclesiastical Province on July 7, Mamza expressed concern about the governmentʼs failure to demonstrate sufficient commitment to tackling insurgency despite Nigeria possessing the capacity to overcome the threat.
“In the security challenges that we are facing, we all know that the government is unserious,” the bishop said, noting that the countryʼs continued struggles against terrorism raises serious questions about the commitment of those entrusted with protecting citizens. “You cannot say that the government doesnʼt have a hand in what is happening since the government is not prepared to resolve these issues and also give the military full authority to get rid of the terrorists,” Mamza said.
The Church leader pointed to the track record of the Nigerian Armed Forces in peacekeeping and military operations across Africa as evidence that the country has the means to confront insurgency successfully.
“The Nigerian Army has resolved issues in different African countries. We have air power, we have land power, and we have all the necessary advantages that we need in order to get rid of the insurgency. But there is no will, there is no seriousness, there is no commitment, and there is too much politics in it,” he said.
Mamza also faulted both the ruling government and opposition politicians for exploiting Nigeriaʼs security crisis for political gain rather than working together to safeguard lives. “Even the sitting government is politicizing the whole security issue. Even those who are in the opposition are also politicizing the security issues,” he lamented.
The bishop warned that public officials who fail to fulfill their responsibility to protect citizens will ultimately answer to God for preventable loss of life. “Our government is not sincere, and our government, on the last day, will be held accountable for the loss of lives in Nigeria at the moment,” he said.
Reflecting on the theme of the CMO gathering, Mamza said Godʼs justice extends not only to perpetrators of violence but also to those who neglect their duty to protect human life.
“The theme of this gathering is that Godʼs judgment is just; both perpetrators of violent terrorism and those who fail in their responsibility to protect lives will face divine accountability,” he said, explaining that, unlike human justice, divine judgment cannot be influenced by corruption, favoritism, or personal relationships.
“Godʼs judgment is not human judgment. God knows everything about us. It is not only what we see that God knows. Even our thoughts, our secret emotions, and what is in our hearts, God knows. His judgment is just and fair,” Mamza said. The bishop also commented on reports about an alleged fake government agency whose purported leadership supposedly established offices and engaged in diplomatic activities despite claims that the agency has no legal basis.
He said the reports point to the need for greater transparency and accountability within public institutions.
“Every year, they will be getting a budget, and then nothing is being used at the end of the year. This is just one. There might be so many that we donʼt know,” he said. Calling for divine intervention, the bishop added: “We pray that God will expose them.”
He encouraged CMO members and all Nigerians not to lose hope despite the countryʼs challenges, emphasizing that while injustice may appear to prevail temporarily, Godʼs justice remains certain.
“The message of the Church is one of hope rooted in the certainty that God sees every act of righteousness and every act of evil. While his judgment is uncompromisingly just, it is also rich in mercy for those who repent and seek his forgiveness,” Mamza said.
By Abah Anthony John
