Plateau Massacre: Defend Yourselves, Families Against Killers; Self-defence Is Not An Offence, Cleric Tells Nigerians

The Lead Bishop of the Worldwide Anglican Church (WAC) in Nigeria, Bishop Seun Adeoye, has denounced the Christmas Day killings in Plateau State, expressing dismay at the disturbing videos shared from the scenes of the attacks.

Adeoye in his New Year Message released in Osogbo, the Osun State capital on Sunday and titled "Never fold your arms again," said it was pathetic that people were slaughtered like chickens in their fatherland and security agencies were nowhere to be found.

The cleric, who is also the General Overseer of Sufficient Grace and Truth Ministries and spokesman for World Bishops' Council (WBC) in Africa offered his condolences to the families of the victims and urged residents to henceforth defend themselves.

He said, "Never fold your arms and allow agents of Satan destroy you, your wives and your children. Please, rise up and fight back against these murderers.

"Plateau state killings, just like Benue and Kaduna states didn't just begin, they have been occurring over the years. So, why did these continue?

"If these dastardly acts cannot be nipped in the bud by security agencies and if the government has failed its duty to protect the victims, what then did you expect the people to do?

"The option left to them is either to relocate from their fathers' land and take refuge in other places or rise to the challenge by defending their wives and children.

"We have the right to live and I have never read any portion of the Nigerian constitution where self-defence is an offence or read it anywhere in the Bible where self-defence is forbidden.

"The duty of government is to protect lives and property but Bola Tinubu's presidency has failed in all of these? Nigeria didn't need an armchair president trolling markets, hosting friends and wining and dining when a calamity of such magnitude befell a nation.

"What's the Nigerian police policing? What's the territory Nigerian Army say they are protecting? Who has been held to account for these heinous acts? This situation is sad and shameful.”

Adeoye said it was regrettable that after the usual offering of condolences by the nation's leaders; a week after the sad event, everything appeared to have returned to normal until maybe when another tragic incident occurred.

The cleric called on those employed to provide security for the nation to either brace themselves or quit if they think the task is overwhelming.