By Kazeem Ugbodaga
President Bola Tinubu has fired a bold warning to insurgents and their backers, declaring that his government will crush any form of evil masquerading as rebellion.
“Crime is crime — no religion, no tribe can shield it!” he thundered through his representative at a high-stakes meeting with top Christian clerics in Abuja.
In a powerful message delivered by his Special Adviser on Policy Communications, Daniel Bwala, President Tinubu vowed that his administration would uproot terror from every inch of Nigerian soil.
“Security forces now have fresh marching orders. No more hiding. No more excuses. We’re coming for every criminal element!” he declared.
The President made this explosive statement on Friday while receiving the Charismatic Bishops Conference of Nigeria, led by Archbishop Chivir Chianson, at the State House.
The meeting, though religious in nature, quickly turned into a fiery declaration of the government’s unwavering stance against terror, tribal violence, and economic sabotage.
Tinubu’s representative stressed the need for a united front, calling on Nigerians to speak with one voice against evil: “Let’s stop colouring crime. Whether in cassocks or turbans, evil must be called by its name.”
On the economy, Tinubu assured the clerics that despite hardship, his reforms were working: “Strike actions are dropping, revenue is climbing, and states are breathing again. We’re on the right path.”
But it wasn’t a one-sided conversation. Archbishop Chianson pulled no punches, voicing the concerns of rural Christians suffering the most from banditry and displacement. Still, he applauded the President’s commitment to fairness, particularly praising the recent appointment of Senator George Akume, a Christian, as Secretary to the Government of the Federation — a move he described as “a welcome shift.”
The Bishops also hailed Tinubu’s forest guard initiative, calling it a “game-changer” in the war against criminals exploiting Nigeria’s vast forest reserves.
With over 906 bishops across the country, the group pledged support for Tinubu’s Renewed Hope agenda, revealing plans for a national synod in 2025 focused on prayer, peace, and training for rural empowerment.
Also in attendance were top-ranking clerics from various northern provinces, including Archbishop James Maljit, Archbishop Joseph Jatau Yari, Archbishop Alexander Nyoonkyeh, and Bishop David Gyang.
