Plateau-based clergy and convener of the Initiative for Better and Brighter Nigeria (IBBN), Prophet Isa El-Buba, has called on the the Federal Government to take decisive action to halt what he described as widespread killings and targeted attacks affecting communities across Nigeria.
El-Buba made the remarks on Saturday during the National Prayer Rally organised by the Initiative for Better and Brighter Nigeria under the Secretariat Flyover in Jos, Plateau State, where hundreds gathered to pray, mourn victims and call for stronger protection of vulnerable populations.
The cleric said Nigeria had reached a critical point where citizens could no longer remain silent in the face of what he characterised as systemic violence. He insisted the pattern of attacks should be recognised as deliberate rather than isolated cases of banditry or communal clashes.
In his words: “My brothers and sisters across this beloved nation, and all people of conscience everywhere, today, I speak not only as a prophet. I speak as a father, as a citizen, and as a witness to the pain of our land. Nigeria is at a crossroads. Our soil is soaked with tears and with the blood of innocent men, women and children.”
“For years, killers have moved from village to village, burning, slaughtering, raping, destroying, while too many have looked away, what is happening across Nigeria is not random violence; it is genocide. It is targeted, it is systemic, it is evil, and it must stop.
He also criticised what he described as slow and muted responses from authorities, saying Nigerians were not “begging the government” but demanding security as a constitutional right.
“No more silence across Nigeria. No more blood without justice. Justice must prevail in our land. This is our land. We are not visitors. We are not strangers. This is our land, and we demand that we must live well in our land. We are not begging the government; you are there to serve us,” he added.
While emphasising prayer and forgiveness as core values, El-Buba said citizens must also be prepared to lawfully defend their communities.
“We have prayed. We will continue to pray. We have forgiven. But now, we must defend ourselves. Self-defence is not rebellion, retaliation, or terrorism. Self-defence is a constitutional right. It is a moral duty and human responsibility. We will not lie down to be slaughtered,” he said.
During the rally, the cleric announced five key demands to the Federal Government, including: classifying the attacks as terrorism and genocide; deploying adequate and properly trained security forces to vulnerable regions; identifying, arresting and prosecuting perpetrators and alleged financiers; rebuilding destroyed communities and compensating victims; and reforming the national security framework.
He also appealed to the international community for intelligence support, sanctions against alleged financiers of violence, humanitarian assistance and surveillance collaboration.
“Nigeria is not asking to be controlled, but we are asking for support in defending the lives and dignity of our people. We are in serious times, and we ask you to put more pressure on the Nigerian government,” he stated.
