The Catholic Archbishop of Abuja Diocese, Ignatius Kaigama, has called on Christians and Muslims in Nigeria to love one another as children of God, rather than engage in violence and bloodshed.
He also reiterated his call on Donald Trump of the United States to support Nigeria with strategic assistance and logistics to combat terrorism and insecurity.

According to him, such intervention is necessary “to see how all Nigerians can be saved from the hands of these persons who have consistently and persistently taken the lives of Nigerians, whether Christians or Muslims, without the slightest compunction.”

Kaigama, in his 2026 Easter message titled “Peace, Not War: Avoiding the Cruelty of Good Friday in Our Nation,” urged Nigerians not to be swayed by empty promises or divisive rhetoric ahead of the 2027 elections, but to support leaders with integrity and competence.

“As we look ahead to the elections of 2027, this Easter season calls us to a deeper sense of responsibility as citizens… Do not be swayed by empty promises or divisive rhetoric. Instead, seek and vote for leaders who demonstrate integrity, competence, and a genuine commitment to the common good,” he said.

The cleric stressed the need for peaceful coexistence among Nigeria’s diverse ethnic and religious groups.

“We, Nigerians, Africans, Christians, Muslims must learn to love each other just the way we are. We do not need to commit massacres or ethnic cleansing… We are all God’s children,” he stated.
He lamented the persistent violence across parts of the country, including Plateau, Kaduna, Benue, Niger, Borno, Adamawa, Taraba, and Zamfara states, noting that innocent lives continue to be lost.

“These are not rumours. These are documented realities… Churches have been burned, priests and pastors kidnapped, villages overrun, Muslims attacked and killed while at prayer,” he said.

Kaigama criticised what he described as weak responses to insecurity, stating that government intervention often comes only after lives have been lost and communities destroyed.

“So far, the government’s response… has been weak at best and negligent at worst,” he said, warning that the situation could worsen if urgent steps are not taken.

He clarified that his earlier remarks on U.S. involvement were misrepresented, stressing that he did not call for weapons for Christians but for strategic support to strengthen Nigeria’s security architecture.

“My call… was for strategic support, for logistics to cripple the activities of these perpetrators of evil… Both Christians and Muslims are victims,” he said.

The Archbishop emphasised that Easter symbolises hope, renewal, and the triumph of light over darkness, urging Nigerians not to despair despite current challenges.

“Our hope must not be passive. It demands courage, integrity, and a commitment to a righteous way of living… Let us reject corruption, be agents of peace, and stand for truth,” he added.
He also urged leaders to prioritise service over self-interest.

“Leadership is a sacred trust… The power you hold is given for the purpose of service, not self-enrichment,” he said.

Kaigama further called for mutual respect among religious groups, stressing that both Christianity and Islam have coexisted in Nigeria for centuries and cannot be wiped out.

He warned that insecurity is being driven by groups seeking control over land, power, and resources, urging collective action to address the crisis.

By Friday Olokor