The Old Seminarians Association of Nigeria (OSAN) has expressed growing concern regarding the escalating abductions of Catholic priests across Nigeria, solely for financial gain characterizing members of the clergy as “soft targets” for kidnappers and bandits.
At the commencement of the 4th Annual Convention of OSAN, themed “Insecurity: Navigating the Complexities of Nation Building,” President of the Association and Chief of Staff to the Senate President, Chinedu Francis Akubueze, raised this critical issue in Abuja on Friday.
Mr. Akubueze lamented that numerous priests have recently fallen victim to kidnappers, with the Catholic Church frequently compelled to pay substantial ransom amounts to secure their release. He stated, “The clergy among us, who are also old seminarians, are increasingly becoming an endangered species. Quite a number of them have been kidnapped, and the Church has paid heavy ransoms. They have become attractive targets for kidnappers who erroneously assume that the Church is affluent.”
While commending the Nigerian Army for its efforts in apprehending the perpetrators of the murder of Rev. Fr. Sylvester Okechukwu and rescuing Rev. Fr. John Ubaechu, Mr. Akubueze emphasized that “more needs to be done” to tackle the root causes of insecurity and to prevent future tragedies.
The OSAN President urged the government to prioritize the safety and security of all citizens, regardless of faith or profession, and encouraged the Nigeria Inter-Religious Council (NIREC) to adopt a more vigorous stance against attacks on clergy and places of worship.
“We gather today with heavy hearts to deliberate on the worsening insecurity in Nigeria, particularly the incessant kidnappings of Catholic priests,” he remarked. “The Church appears helpless in this dire situation, while government efforts have yet to produce the desired outcomes.”
He noted that the convention would feature presentations by esteemed scholars and security experts to generate ideas and propose proactive strategies to address the prevailing crisis. Mr. Akubueze reaffirmed the Association’s dedication to promoting unity, moral discipline, and social responsibility, values fostered during seminary training, and called upon members to utilize their various platforms to advocate for peace, security, and effective governance.
“Let us unite to construct a society wherein everyone can live without fear,” he stated. “We pray for the safety of all kidnapped priests and citizens, and we demand decisive action from our leaders.”
A member of the discussion panel, Prof. May Ifeoma Nwoye, Dean of the Faculty of Management Sciences at Nile University of Nigeria, remarked that propaganda exacerbates insecurity in the country, indicating that certain individuals exploit it for political gain by disseminating false information.
She highlighted that the situation in Nigeria has deteriorated to the extent that Nigerian youth face ridicule in some African countries, which were previously assisted in attaining independence. Furthermore, Prof. Nwoye urged leaders to introspect regarding the economic situation, advocating that concessional loans be directed towards alleviating poverty. “The hunger insecurity is profoundly devastating, resulting in fatalities due to a lack of economic means,” she explained.
Prof. Sandra Obioha, also a panelist, proposed the establishment of an etiquette school for prospective political officeholders, where individuals would undergo a six-month training program to become acquainted with the responsibilities of public office.
She emphasized that insecurity constitutes the most pressing challenge facing the nation and appealed to leaders to establish robust, accountable institutions and a judicious governance system. “A true leader plans for future policy, whereas a politician focuses solely on forthcoming elections,” she asserted.