The Catholic Bishop of Ondo Diocese, Jude Arogundade, has called for the immediate resignation of Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Oluyede. This demand comes after General Oluyede likened the activities of terrorists in Nigeria's North-East to the biblical 'prodigal son.' The bishop views this comparison as insensitive and deeply troubling, particularly in light of continued violent attacks by insurgents in the region.
A recent Palm Sunday Mass at the Sacred Heart Cathedral in Akure, the state capital, provided the backdrop for the bishop's remarks. Bishop Arogundade questioned how General Oluyede could minimise the enormity of the terrorists' actions against the country. He noted that the biblical prodigal son did not commit murder or seize property violently, in contrast to the terrorists who have declared war against Nigeria and its citizens.
The bishop highlighted the devastating impact of terrorism, citing the recent loss of 41 people in his diocese. He urged General Oluyede to step down, arguing that leadership in the country's security architecture must reflect sensitivity, clarity, and a firm stance against acts of terror. Bishop Arogundade believes that equating perpetrators of mass violence with a figure symbolising repentance and forgiveness undermines the gravity of their actions and the suffering of victims.
The Chief of Defence Staff's remarks have sparked widespread outrage, and rightly so. General Oluyede's suggestion that terrorists deserve rehabilitation because they are citizens is a slap in the face to the victims of these heinous crimes. The fact that 41 people in Bishop Arogundade's diocese have been killed in recent times is a stark reminder of the devastating impact of terrorism. It is imperative that the leadership in the country's security architecture takes a firm stance against acts of terror and sends a clear message about accountability and justice. The Nigerian government must take concrete steps to address the root causes of terrorism and ensure that those responsible are held accountable. Anything less would be a betrayal of the trust placed in them by the Nigerian people.
