The Nigerian Baptist Convention (NBC) has called on President Bola Tinubu to urgently convene a national conference on security.
The conference, according to the NBC, should comprise former presidents, heads of state, and current and former security chiefs to develop a new security framework for the country.
NBC President Rev. Israel Akanji expressed deep concern over the escalating insecurity in Nigeria during a briefing on Friday on the 112th annual session of the church.
The annual session, themed “Entering into Newness through Fasting and Prayer,” will hold from April 26 to May 1, 2025, at the Baptist International Convention Centre in Lagos.
Akanji condemned the recent surge in violence, citing the alarming rate of unprovoked killings, genocide, kidnapping, and banditry attacks.
He emphasized the need for collective action to address the security situation, which has resulted in numerous mass burials across several states.
The cleric attributed the current security challenges to the inherited security architecture and called for urgent reforms, even as he advocated for the establishment of state police, citing the inadequacy of the current policing system.
Akanji also urged the judiciary and law enforcement agencies to expedite the prosecution of those responsible for insecurity.
Akanji stressed that the situation demands immediate attention and action, warning against complacency and impunity.
The NBC’s call for a national security conference aims to develop a comprehensive strategy to tackle the country’s security challenges and ensure the safety of its citizens.
