“Government Knows Who Is Responsible for These Killings” — Cardinal Onaiyekan

Archbishop Emeritus of the Abuja Catholic Archdiocese, John Cardinal Onaiyekan, has accused authorities of knowing those behind the persistent killings across Nigeria. Speaking in a televised interview on Saturday, he expressed deep concern over the rising cases of attacks and abductions in several regions, noting that the situation can no longer be denied or minimized.

He criticized the federal authorities for what he described as a defensive posture, saying this attitude does not align with the daily realities of citizens who live under constant threat. According to him, the continued pattern of dismissing reports of widespread violence ignores the experiences of communities devastated by insurgents and criminal groups.

Onaiyekan urged the government to focus on protecting lives instead of getting distracted by political ambitions. He stressed that the priority must be restoring security and ensuring that Nigerians can live without fear.