The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria (CBCN) on Tuesday urged the federal and state governments to, as a matter of urgency, identify abductors involved in the recent kidnapping incident in some states and prosecute them.

The bishops decried the level of security, which they said has claimed countless lives, razed communities, and forced thousands into displaced camps.

They demanded the immediate rescue of all abducted persons and an investigation into alleged delayed security responses in affected communities to rebuild public trust.

According to a statement titled “Peace in Nigeria: Moving from Fragility to Stability”, jointly signed by CBCN President, Archbishop Lucius Ugorji, and Secretary, Bishop Donatus Aihmiosion Ogun, the bishops said Nigeria’s fragile social and religious climate had been worsened by rampant violence, unconstitutional actions of some Shariah institutions, and alleged abuses linked to Hisbah operations in the North.

CBCN expressed concern over repeated attacks on communities in the North and Middle Belt, adding that in some cases, delayed or absent security responses had created suspicions of collusion or negligence.

The Bishops emphasised that apart from Christians, Muslims and other ethnic groups have also suffered from the same wave of violence ravaging the country.

Recent mass abductions, including worshippers in Kwara, 25 young girls in Kebbi, 13 female farmers in Borno, and over 265 schoolchildren and teachers in Niger State, as well as the killing of Brigadier General Musa Uba and dozens of security personnel, were cited as evidence of Nigeria’s deepening insecurity.

CBCN said, “When criminals can strike schools, farms, and communities with impunity, it threatens the very foundations of family life, education, and social stability.

“In the light of this worsening situation, we call on the Government at all levels to urgently and decisively fulfil its foremost duty, as mandated by Section 14(2)(b) of the 1999 Constitution, to protect the lives and property of all citizens. The Government has both the responsibility and the means to end this violence and must no longer allow impunity to prevail.

“Those responsible for these heinous crimes must be identified and brought to justice, for without accountability there can be no lasting peace. We urge that reports of delayed or withheld security responses in some affected communities be thoroughly investigated to rebuild public trust.

“The Government must also take all lawful and urgent measures to secure the immediate and safe return of all abducted persons, including the young girls taken in Kebbi, the pupils and teachers seized in Kontagora, and the young females abducted in Borno, and ensure that displaced citizens can return to their ancestral homes. This moment calls for decisive action to halt the terror engulfing our nation and for meaningful dialogue and peacebuilding aimed at restoring confidence among our people.

“Lasting peace cannot be achieved through silence or delay. It requires justice, courage, and a firm commitment to the sanctity of human life. Nigerians and the global community can no longer tolerate excuses for continued insecurity. We further draw attention to the persistent violations of the rights and freedoms of Christian minorities in several northern states.

“The denial of land for the construction of churches, particularly within federal institutions, and the destruction of Christian places of worship, especially at the height of Boko Haram’s insurgency, are matters that demand urgent and decisive government action.

“The overreach of Sharia Courts in some states poses serious constitutional concerns, as it threatens Nigeria’s secular character and infringes on the rights of Christian minorities. It is in this context that we recall with deep sorrow the brutal killing of Deborah Samuel Yakubu in Sokoto, an incident fuelled by extremist interpretations of Sharia-related accusations, and we once again demand justice for her, as impunity in such cases undermines the rule of law and endangers the rights of all citizens.

“While moral formation is essential in every society, the activities of morality enforcement groups such as the Hisbah have frequently resulted in harassment and intimidation of innocent citizens, including Christians and Muslims alike, in the exercise of their fundamental freedoms”.

The bishops added, “Nigeria’s rich religious and cultural pluralism must foster unity, mutual respect, and peace rather than division and suspicion. We salute the courage of the Nigerian people who, despite these trying times, continue to demonstrate remarkable resilience and trust in the promise of a better future.

“We urge all citizens, irrespective of religion, tribe, or political persuasion, to remain united in the quest for peace and the rebuilding of our common life. Every Nigerian is called to be an agent of healing, to reject hatred and retaliation, to speak words that foster understanding, and to uphold justice, dialogue, and mutual respect. Peace is not the responsibility of a select few. It is the duty of all.

“Rather than engaging in divisive arguments about who has suffered more losses, we should stand together in defending the sacredness of every human life and protecting the vulnerable. Together, we can transform our diversity into strength and build a nation that truly reflects harmony, justice, and hope.” (The Nation)