Cardinal demands action by Nigerian government against kidnappings and says no excuse for silence

Cardinal John Onaiyekan has challenged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration to increase efforts to stop kidnapping and violent crime in Nigeria. Speaking to ACI Africa during an interview on July 14, the Archbishop emeritus of Abuja stated that the government has no excuse for failing to address the country's growing insecurity.

Onaiyekan noted that while the recent rescue of schoolchildren after nearly two months in captivity is a reason for gratitude, the event does not mean the security crisis is resolved. He said the release of the children does not erase the trauma they experienced or the suffering of their families.

The cardinal argued that the kidnappings should not have occurred if the government were serious about fighting insecurity. He urged authorities to use the recent rescue as motivation to dismantle kidnapping networks, noting that many other victims remain held by kidnappers and terrorist groups.