Kaigama Recounts Bandits’ Claim That They Were “Doing the Work of God”
By Peace Erewunmi
The Catholic Archbishop of Abuja, Most Rev. Ignatius Kaigama, has recounted a conversation he said he had with bandits during a past kidnapping ordeal, revealing that one of the abductors claimed they could not stop their violent activities because they believed they were “doing the work of God.”
According to Kaigama, he asked the armed men whether they could abandon kidnapping and violence. In response, one of the bandits allegedly told him that they could not stop because they considered their actions to be divinely ordained.
The cleric said the encounter highlighted the dangerous ideological beliefs held by some criminal groups, stressing that insecurity in Nigeria is not driven solely by economic hardship but also by extremist mindsets that justify violence. He reiterated the need for stronger security measures, community engagement and efforts to counter radical ideologies.
Kaigama also urged Nigerians to continue praying for peace while calling on the government and security agencies to intensify efforts to end banditry, terrorism and kidnapping across the country. He maintained that lasting peace can only be achieved through a combination of effective security operations, justice and social reforms.
The Archbishop’s remarks have renewed public discussions about the motivations behind violent criminal groups and the need for a comprehensive approach to addressing Nigeria’s security challenges.
