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The Catholic Bishop of Ondo Diocese, Jude Arogundade, has voiced strong concern over the deteriorating security situation in Ondo State, and urged Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa to take decisive action to curb the rising tide of kidnappings and criminal activities.
His statement came after the recent incident in Akure, where three persons were attacked and kidnapped by suspected criminals at the Comprehensive Health Center in Oke Ijebu area early Saturday morning. The victims were later abandoned in the bushes along the Ondo-Akure expressway after money was taken from their bank accounts, and were later rescued by state security operatives, Amotekun.
Speaking on Sunday after Palm Sunday Mass at the Sacred Heart Cathedral in Akure, Bishop Arogundade criticized the state and federal governments, insisting that more must be done to protect lives and property.
Expressing his frustration over the rising cases of kidnapping, he warned that criminal elements were gradually infiltrating the state capital and called for more proactive leadership.
He said, “I don’t think our government is serious anymore. I’m just going to say that because if you look at our city here in Akure, Akure is under attack. These strange people are coming in—where are they coming from? And the government is going to say they don’t know what’s going on? I don’t know what’s going on. I don’t know what’s going on. I don’t know what’s going on. I don’t think our government is serious anymore. I’m just going to say that because if you look at our city here in Akure, Akure is under attack. People These freaks are coming—where are they coming from? And the government is going to say they don’t know what’s going on?”
“They (foreigners) in particular control strategic places, and everyone looks helpless, until they start attacking and killing people again, before people start to react. The person who is supposed to lead Nigeria’s security just said last week that these terrorists are lost children. My goodness, how do you minimize the enormity of what these people have done to this country?
“They practically declared war on Nigeria, her government, and all law-abiding citizens. And you call them the prodigal son? The prodigal son in the Bible did not kill his father, nor did he kill his brother to take over property. The prodigal son went, he lost everything, and he took care of the pigs. He did not kill the owner of the pigs to take over everything.
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“So, please, in a civilized country, that person should resign. What kind of nonsense is that? We lost 41 people in my diocese, and those who killed them were missing children? I don’t think this country is serious. We Nigerians say they don’t know what’s going on. It’s time we should ask the obvious questions.”
The cleric urged citizens to remain prayerful and alert, while stressing that the government must take responsibility for ensuring security.
“We have to pray—that’s our duty as Christians. We have to pray, but at the same time, the government has to take responsibility. Not until people say, this has become… I used to be one of those who doubted whether this was really genocide. It’s happening, and it’s widespread. We see them on Facebook, we see them on all social media and other media. So, the time has come for us to come together and talk about this situation.
“Within a year, not even a year, Akure has been invaded, and the government will tell you that they didn’t know? Even a kid on the street knows what’s going on. This is the only country where you have a situation where unbelievable things are happening,” he added.
Reflecting on the importance of Palm Sunday, Bishop Arogundade explained that the celebration marks the triumphal entry of Jesus Christ into Jerusalem and the start of Holy Week.
“Whoever suffers with Him, who journeys with Him, will rise with Him in glory. This is the teaching of Christianity: that by participating in His life and death, we also participate and become part of His life and resurrection.
“So, Palm Sunday begins the Holy Week, in which everyone is called to have a deeper awareness of the role that our Lord Jesus Christ played and continues to play in human salvation,” he concluded.
