Anglican Archbishop of the Niger Province, Alexander Ibezim, has cried out bitterly over the insecurity in the country.

He therefore, urged all citizens, irrespective of class or gender, to take ownership of their environment always.

Speaking with The Guardian in his Awka, Anambra State office, Ibezim came to tears over the recent abduction of his predecessor, Dr Godwin Okpala, alongside his driver while on a missionary assignment to an Anambra village.

Okpala, on whose retirement Ibezim was enthroned to oversee the influential Niger Province of the Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion, eventually regained his freedom about seven days ago. He was said to be recuperating.

Meanwhile, Labour Party (LP) governorship aspirant for Anambra 2025, George Moghalu, expressed happiness in welcoming Okpala home.

According to the Ohamadike, the news of his abduction was a devastating blow to all the people of Anambra.

He regretted that the security situation in the state deteriorated so much under Governor Chukwuma Soludo’s administration despite repeated personal calls for new approach and decisive action.

Reacting on the experience as it affects the church, Ibezim, who is also the Bishop of Awka Diocese, stated that the event was not funny at all.

He said, “The entire church felt very bad that such senior cleric, the Archbishop of the Province of the Niger and Bishop of Nnewi, could be so abducted without a word or trace, which shows the level of insecurity in our society.”

The archbishop disclosed that the church did not celebrate the 2024 Christmas or New Year like in the past; that it was rather a period of intense prayers, committing to and communing with God.

He urged the Federal Government led by President Bola Tinubu to listen to the various agitations in many parts of the country, to stem insecurity.

It is indeed sad that virtually every part of the country is experiencing disturbing wave of insecurity that needs to be addressed. They are serious and potent issues and cases that cannot be swept under that carpet if we expect peace.

“Our political leaders are moving around with a retinue of heavily armed security escorts and bulletproof vehicles, while the citizens are left open to the mercy of all manner of vices, criminal elements and very angry agitators. It is a national issue that needs to be addressed, and the earlier it is done, the better for all of us.” (The Guardian)