Omotayo Adigun
Amidst escalating violent attacks on civilians in Plateau State and other regions of Nigeria, including Benue, the Archbishop of the Abuja Catholic Archdiocese, Ignatius Kaigama, has cautioned against arming citizens as a solution.
In a recent interview on Channels Television’s “Hard Copy,” Archbishop Kaigama, who previously served as the Archbishop of Jos for nearly two decades, articulated his belief that a comprehensive, global strategy is essential to address and ultimately end the pervasive violence.
Reflecting on his 30th anniversary as a Bishop, which coincided with the passing of Pope Francis, Archbishop Kaigama lauded the late Pontiff as a “formidable world leader” deeply committed to global peace without discrimination. He highlighted Pope Francis’s proactive efforts in conflict zones such as South Sudan and Ukraine, including personally reaching out to leaders and sending humanitarian aid.
Archbishop Kaigama emphasized Pope Francis’s role as a true “peacebuilder in the manner of Jesus.”
Drawing lessons for Nigerian religious leaders from Pope Francis’s life, Archbishop Kaigama underscored the values of “simplicity, accessibility, and approachability.”
He contrasted the late Pope’s humble lifestyle – his choice of modest cars, reliance on rented aircraft, and residence in the simple Casa Santa Marta – with the perceived flamboyance of some Nigerian religious leaders who openly display wealth, attributing it to divine blessing.
Archbishop Kaigama subtly critiqued this “rush to go to where God will bless you, wealth will flow,” noting that Pope Francis’s focus was on serving the underprivileged.
Regarding the Nigerian Catholic Bishops’ visit to President Bola Tinubu, Archbishop Kaigama clarified that such meetings are a consistent practice aimed at advocating for the well-being of the Nigerian people. He refuted suggestions that the bishops sought personal gain, stating that their concerns raised with the President centered on critical national issues such as insecurity, poverty, and the high cost of living.
READ ALSO: Nigerians Bleeding, Hungry, Unsafe, Disillusioned — Kaigama in Easter Message
While acknowledging the President’s gracious reception, he indicated that the Church awaits practical engagements and tangible progress on the issues raised.
Turning to the persistent violence in Plateau State, where he served as Archbishop for two decades, Archbishop Kaigama expressed his inability to pinpoint the exact root of the problem, lamenting that as a priest, he primarily deals with the consequences. While acknowledging Governor Caleb Mutfwang’s description of the situation as “genocide,” Archbishop Kaigama affirmed that the consistent loss of lives represents a “serious assault on human dignity and human lives.”
Addressing the growing calls for citizens to arm themselves, Archbishop Kaigama firmly stated, “Before the criminals came, they (security agents) were better armed and remember it is their profession to kill, so even if you arm yourself, they come better prepared, so what does your arm do?”
He advocated instead for a “global approach” to ending the violence, emphasizing the need for sincerity from authorities and giving security agents a free hand to operate without undue interference. He recounted instances where promising security efforts were allegedly undermined by external pressures and premature removals of key personnel.
In his message of hope to Nigerians, Archbishop Kaigama drew parallels with the Easter narrative, expressing his belief that “despite all these, we shall rise again. Nigeria will rise, and with the right leadership and direction, I tell you this is going to be a formidable country, a great country.”
When asked about the possibility of a black person, even a Nigerian, becoming Pope, he affirmed that any lay Catholic man is eligible, leaving the door open for future possibilities.