Bishop of the Egba Diocese of the Anglican Communion and Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in Ogun State, Dr. Emmanuel Oludaisi Adekunle, has expressed concern over worsening insecurity, saying Christians and clergy have increasingly become targets of kidnappers and bandits.
According to the report, published by The Guardian on Tuesday, August 4, 2026, Adekunle said many ministers no longer travel in clerical robes or identify themselves as pastors because of security risks. He described banditry and kidnapping as nationwide problems affecting people regardless of their occupation or status.
Reflecting on the 2022 attack on St. Francis Catholic Church in Owo, Ondo State, Adekunle said the incident showed that no region is immune from insecurity.
“What happened in Owo sent a strong message. The Yoruba region shouldn’t be taken for granted. We cannot continue to assume that such incidents cannot happen here,” he said.
According to the report, the cleric urged governments at all levels to strengthen intelligence gathering, policing and collaboration with local communities to improve security. He also called on citizens to report suspicious activities promptly and encouraged religious organisations to combine prayer with practical safety measures, stressing that restoring public confidence in Nigeria’s security architecture should remain a priority.
