Nigeria: a cardinal demands that the government take action against kidnappings

A Nigerian cardinal urges the federal government to act against the abductions of Christians in the Middle Belt, denouncing "no excuse" for the silence.

The Fact

According to Catholic News Agency (July 17, 2026), Cardinal John Onaiyekan, emeritus archbishop of Abuja, publicly challenged the federal government of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu: there is "no excuse" for inaction in the face of kidnappings targeting Christians and Muslims, particularly Catholic schools and parishes in the states of Plateau, Kaduna, Benue, and Zamfara. Since the beginning of 2026, more than twenty major attacks have been recorded by Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) and Open Doors.

Our Analysis

Cardinal Onaiyekan's cry aligns with the Church's social doctrine: the security and integrity of persons are a fundamental duty of public authority, reminds the Compendium of the social doctrine. Refusing this responsibility places one under the judgment of Populorum progressio (Paul VI, 1967), which reminds us that authentic development includes the guarantee of life. The Observatory for Religious Freedom in Africa published a study in June covering six years (2020-2026) that establishes that Christians have borne a disproportionate burden of violence in Nigeria, contradicting the official narrative of purely "agropastoral" conflicts.

To Reflect On

Pray for the abducted students, for the priests and catechists held captive, and for the conscience of Nigerian leaders. Support ACN and Open Doors, whose actions often remain the only visible safety net. The suffering Church of Nigeria stands firm; it awaits to be heard.