Top Christian, Muslim and traditional leaders from across Nigeria have given President Bola Tinubu a direct message that the worsening insecurity has now become a national emergency and his responsibility to fix.
They also said the National Assembly “has little moral ground to legislate” if the communities that elected its members “are being overrun by extremists”
The leaders made their position known on Tuesday at an Interfaith Dialogue on Religious Freedom and Human Security in Abuja, organised by the Global Peace Foundation (Nigeria).
The meeting included Cardinal John Onaiyekan, Sheikh Nurudeen Lemu, Rev. Dr. Stephen Panya Baba of CAN, Sheikh Nuru Khalid, Archbishop Sunday Onuoha, Rev. Fr. Canice Chinyeaka Enyiaka, and the Emirs of Bangudu and Doma, among others.
Although they admitted the insecurity crisis started before Tinubu came into office, they said he now holds the constitutional and moral duty to fix it.
“Every human life is sacred and must be protected. We condemn all killings, kidnappings, and targeted attacks across Nigeria,” they said.
Speakers reminded the audience that no religion supports violence.
They urged clerics to unite, defend human dignity, and stop extremists from twisting faith for harmful purposes.
Rev. John Joseph Hayab, the Global Peace Foundation’s Country Director, said the event was meant to strengthen unity.
“Today’s gathering is more than a meeting; it is a testament to our shared resolve to uphold freedom of religion or belief,” he said.
In his keynote speech, Rev. Fr. Canice Chinyeaka Enyiaka described the violence in communities as “a national and spiritual emergency.”
“When a Nigerian is killed, the entire nation bleeds. When a child is kidnapped, the whole nation is kidnapped,” he warned.
He added that all faith traditions teach respect for life. Quoting the scripture, he said: “Whoever kills a single soul, it is as if he has killed all of humanity; and whoever saves a life, it is as if he has saved all of humanity.”
The meeting agreed to strengthen local peace committees, improve early-warning systems, expand mediation, support trauma healing, and promote peace messages especially to youth and women.
Their communiqué was straightforward about leadership: “Nigeria’s problem predate President Tinubu, however, as the president of the day, the bulk of the job lies on his table.
“The president should realise that everything that will be done will be meaningless if we don’t tackle the issue of insecurity in the Country.
“Similarly, members of the national assembly should also realise that we will have no job to do if their constituencies are consumed by insecurity and violence.”
They also said Nigerians must accept their role in the crisis: “Nigerians should realise that our problems are self-made… No one from outside can genuinely solve it.”
The dialogue further resolved to set up a Joint Interfaith Advocacy Committee on Freedom of Religion or Belief, push toward a National FoRB Commission, hold quarterly meetings, and document cases of violence and hate speech.
Archbishop Sunday Onuoha advised the government to seek foreign help when needed but protect national sovereignty.
“If we can borrow funds from other parts of the world, we can also seek help. But in seeking that help, our sovereignty must be respected,” he said.
Insecurity now national emergency – Muslim, Christian leaders tell Tinubu, NASS
