Anglican Primate slams attacks on military personnel

…says: God will intervene in Nigeria’s crisis

ABUJA – The Anglican Primate of Nigeria, Most Rev. Henry Ndukuba, has condemned the persistent attacks on military personnel, describing it as ‘a cancer on the nation’.

Speaking at St Matthew Anglican Church in Abuja on Sunday during his Episcopal visit to the Maitama and Mpape Archdeaconry of the church, Ndukuba urged Nigerians to stand strong in their faith and trust in God’s intervention in the face of national challenges.

He also emphasized the importance of justice, dialogue, and meeting the needs of ordinary people, noting that leadership should prioritize the welfare of citizens.

Ndukuba encouraged Christians to remain faithful and patient, even in difficult times, and urged the government to address the root causes of agitations and dissidence.

He said, “God is still in the business of raising people He will use to accomplish His purpose, especially given the situation we have found ourselves in as a nation.

“We want to encourage Christians to know that their lives are important to God – their body, mind, and soul are so important to God that Jesus Christ died for us. And because of this, we are encouraging everyone to stand strong in faith.

“As we may see difficult times, they will not last forever. But as we hold to God, He will surely intervene in our situation and bring a turnaround.

“But we must also acknowledge the attacks on our military personnel, which is like a cancer on our nation. We must not attack the agency that is protecting our lives and ensuring our security.

“We know that many of us are agitated and hurting and challenged and are unhappy about what is happening, but we want to plead with every section, please, let us be patient.

“Where it will need engaging in dialogue, let’s do so. Those in leadership should do justice because without justice, there will be no peace.

“Often times we give and take. One of the things that former President Umar Yar’Adua did in this nation, which will ever stand, is him taking steps to even dialogue with those people that were already criminalized and to bend backwards. And today, those young agitators are already engaged in the mainstream of this nation.”

The Primate’s visit aimed not only to confirm the worthy members of the church and admit them to its various organs but also to strengthen the church’s bonds and foster spiritual growth among its members.

Earlier, in his sermon, Ndukuba stressed the need for Nigerians to hope and trust in God, emphasizing that with faith and perseverance, the country would overcome its current difficulties.