Abuja — "The incessant violent attacks and indiscriminate killings occurring throughout the country are inhumane and unjustifiable acts, and a grave affront to the sanctity of life," stated the Council of the Laity of Nigeria in a statement released at the conclusion of its 157th National Executive Council. The country's main association of lay faithful urged political and institutional leaders to "protect the lives and property of the population, while implementing sustainable economic policies that prioritize human dignity for the common good of the nation."
The proliferation of armed gangs and serious forms of banditry stems from multiple factors, but one of the main ones lies in the poverty and precarious conditions in which a large part of the population lives, in a country rich in natural resources. In this regard, the Council denounces "the gap between rich and poor, as well as the growing difficulties that exacerbate the suffering of many Nigerians," and calls on citizens to denounce injustices, promote peace, defend the most vulnerable, and safeguard the dignity of every person.
The Council of Catholic Laity of Nigeria believes that "true development in modern society cannot be based solely on measuring Gross Domestic Product (GDP), but rather on the effective improvement of living conditions and emancipation."
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If authentic development is founded on "human dignity, it becomes the driving force of social justice, fostering the construction of a sustainable, supportive, and stable society." The message concludes by reiterating the Council's commitment, "in collaboration with the Catholic Bishops' Conference of Nigeria (CBCN)," to work "for the well-being of the population, promoting peace, unity, justice, and responsible leadership in Nigeria." "We will work with the determination to demand that the government fulfill its obligations, create development opportunities, and address issues such as insecurity, inequality, and marginalization, while simultaneously facilitating the formation of the laity through catechesis and a deeper understanding of the Church's Social Doctrine."
In Nigeria, homicides, violent robberies, and attacks on villages are frequent. Among the most recent victims is an Anglican priest, Reverend Emmanuel Ezeokwe, killed by a group of bandits in the early hours of April 21. The victim was vicar of the Anglican Church of Zinai, in the Cathedral Archdeaconry, within the Anglican Diocese of Yola. According to a statement released on social media by the Nigerian Anglican Church, the reverend was killed by armed men who stormed into the community of Zinai, in the Song district of Adamawa State, in the northeast of Nigeria.
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