Archbishop Emeritus of the Abuja Catholic Archdiocese,  Cardinal John Onaiyekan, has accused the Federal Government of knowing those behind the widespread killings across the country.

Speaking in an interview on Saturday, Onaiyekan said the scale of violence in Nigeria is now impossible to deny.
“Nobody can counteract the fact that Nigerians are being killed,” he said.

He criticised the government for what he described as a recurring pattern of dismissing or downplaying reports of mass killings. According to him, such a posture ignores the reality of millions who “live in perpetual fear” and communities that have suffered repeated attacks by insurgents.

“The Federal Government must shift away from its defensive approach,” he stated. “This persistent denial fails to reflect the sentiments of millions who live in perpetual fear and those who have suffered tremendously in the hands of insurgents.”

Onaiyekan further insisted that authorities are fully aware of the identities of those carrying out the violence.
“The government is aware of who is responsible for these killings. Instead of fixating on 2027, it should concentrate on ensuring the safety and survival of its citizens,” he said.

His remarks come amid a surge in deadly attacks targeting schools and churches.

In Niger State, 315 students and teachers were abducted from St. Mary’s Catholic School in Papiri. In Kebbi State, 25 students from Government Girls Comprehensive Senior Secondary School in Maga were kidnapped, while Vice-Principal Hassan Makuku was killed while resisting the attackers.

Kwara State also recorded a brutal incident after armed men invaded the Christ Apostolic Church in Eruku, abducting at least 30 worshippers and killing three people.

Onaiyekan urged the Federal Government to place citizen safety above political calculations, stressing that national security must remain the country’s most urgent priority