Nigeria Peace and Security: A Biblical Perspective

by

Helen I. A. Oyekanmi (PhD)

Director of Academic Affairs

Baptist College of Theology, Oyo

humankind62@gmail.com

+2348068717377

Presented at the 10th Annual National

Conference of School of Arts and Social Sciences (SASS)

Federal College of Education (SP.), Oyo

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March 10-14, 2014

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Abstract

Expectedly, the entire universe supposed to be a safe

place to accommodate every individual regardless of

faith, race or culture with little or no strain in

relationships, works and places of living. But reverse

is the case, the reason why the ongoing discuss in

every works and corners centered on peace and security.

It is however unfortunate that the same set of people

who advocate for peace and security are the defenders

of war and unhealthy living across tribes, governance

and religious groups. In the Nigerian story, crisis and

insecurity have become the greatest national problems

for more than 3 decades. The status of Nigeria in the

global peace and security is unhealthy. It is criminal,

uncultured, unassuming, undemocratic, unstable,

unlawful, inhuman, animalistic, crazy, doubtful,

unethical, dangerous, risk and suicidal. This paper

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therefore provides information on how Nigerian citizens

can live peacefully, educate and promote healthy

living. The paper adopts analytic method with few

empirical statistical information from previous

researches. Practical recommendations are made for

take-off actions on the part of individual and groups

of Nigerians. It is expected that, from this biblical

perfective, peace and tranquility can be achieved.

Introduction

Today, most discussions of peace concerned political,

governance and religion. This may be because for hundred years,

periods of war have alternated with periods of peace war and

crisis of all kind have become the normal state of affairs. What

marvels this writer is the issue of people in the remote rural

settings who were also affected by the crisis and violent living.

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One can imagine the level of suspicion in a village setting of

10 to 12 houses and with a population of less than 100 and who

could not go into deep sleep at night simply because of the fear

of thieves, armed robbers or Boko Haram and so on. Many towns and

cities have not experience domestic peace for more than 30 years

now. The funny part of the story is that many of those and even

the government who advocate for peace are also the promoters and

the defenders of war and crisis. Since the birth of this nation

called Nigeria, she has faced with numerous crisis such that

include, tribalism inter-tribal war, ethnicity violence,

religious crisis, political unrest, socio-economic insecurity

and unstable healthy environment.

Where do we go from here? For how long can we continue living and

giving birth to children who turn to vagabonds, criminals and

lawless because of our own carelessness and animalistic behavior?

The home frontier has not been providing successful

nurturing and good parenting to their children and other social

institutions have not been able to adequately adjust to their

unassuming roles of socialization. It is pertinent therefore to

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examine the status of peace and security in Nigeria and to

present some possible ways out. But before then; there is need to

understand what peace and security means in Nigeria perspective.

The Concept of Peace and Security

Peace in Nigeria is not different from peace in the

global context, only its maintenance may be different peace is

freedom from every form of disturbances. It is a state of being

calm and happy. According to Tijani (2010 peace is not a concept

that only needs to be understood or perceived from its lateral

meaning. Its meaning transcends sociological, political, moral

and spiritual indices. In a further explanation, a general prayer

request from every corner of Nigeria today is “God give us peace

in our nation” and after this; no one remember to ask for any

other thing. This is an indication that, the nation has been so

devastating that no place is secured again. Just as at the time

of writing this paper and i ask for the opinion of people about

Oyo as a peaceful town, somebody just murmured, “which peaceful

town – we cannot sleep well in our area because of the fear of

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thieves and armed robbers” Within a week, 8 out of few houses

that owned newly bought plasma to and Dstv machine could not

found them at where they were hanged (in two days) after

returning from work. So at night, the children are shivering,

panicking and were afraid to sleep. This is to say how peace is

significant even to those children who may not understand the

concept.

Peace is also seeing as the bedrock of

establishing prestigious socio-political and moral institutions,

which are the beacons of the Nigerian society. To grow as a

nation, it requires variables such as a standard long-term

planning vision, technological breakthrough, positive thinking

and achieving industriousness. To a greater extent, peace and

tranquility make these variables materialized.

The Status of Peace and Security in Nigeria

The words peace and security are almost gone

in Nigeria. The entire society is just learning to cope with the

state of insecurity and lack of peace in the nation. The

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following are the examples of sources of insecurity and chaos in

the country ritual:

Ransomed kidnapping: This has more or less begins to take a

worrisome dimension that something must be done to check it. It

has implication for both the peaceful living and security as well

for general stability of this nation. Every citizen panic at the

sight of a stranger; whether that stranger meant well or not.

Kidnapping in the nation has become a disturbing activity that

everyone dreads. Two years ago for example, this writer witnessed

the mystery of African traditional medicine in one of the popular

area in Oyo town where a handset was laid down as a bait to catch

an innocent individual. Indeed, a man picked it and became feces.

A middle-old adult from the other side of the road came to pack

the feces with a white handkerchief and put it inside the boot of

his car parked at a distance. By the time people got there and

dragged the man to the police station the whole boot was already

filled with money.

Serious reported kidnapping case was traced to 2006

when 4 foreign oil workers working on the AE fields of shell

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petroleum were kidnapped by militants at Niger-Delta. This was

done to ask for money from the government (Adelakun, 2010). Other

stories of abduction of expatriates include the kidnapping (2012)

of 3 pastors who are also lecturers of a theological institution

in Obinze for 4 days. They were released after the payment of 2

million naira as ransom by their employer. Many old and young

people have been kidnapped without any luck of returning home.

Some were used for money rituals while some were wasted because

there is no one to pay ransom for them or the kidnappers were

angry with them. Other related stories are listed in the table

below:

S/N DATEREPORTED

VICTIM/PROFILE RANSOM DEMANDED RELEASED/KILLED FOR A REASON

1 2007 David Worth. A British oilworker

200 Million waspaid

Released

2 2007 Some oil worker 400 Million Some were Released, few died.

3. 2008-2009 512 Kidnapping cases were reported with the highestnumber in the South-East of Nigeria

2 – 10 Million Somewhere released/Many died

4. 2010

i May 28

ii. June 7

iii July

A Canadian woman- Mrs. Julie A.Mulligan

Mr. Peter Odebunmi- A member of the House of RepresentativeName withheld.Divisional Officer (DPO), Awka

100 Million (Notpaid)

N2million

Killed in a

She was Rescued. Police foiled the Kidnappers’ plan inKaduna

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iv August 4

v. August 4

vi. August 4

vii. August17

viii.November 17

S. Okereke,A. Okonkwo, S. Oyeyipo & A. Abdulrafiu-Four Journalist in Abia State

Chief John Osamede Adun-A prominent Benin High Chief (theAiyobahan of Benin Kingdom) anda transporter, popularly calledBob Izua.Mr. Femi Ajepe-Chairman of the Trade Union Congress (TUC), Ekiti State. Released but to pay a ransom for his wife who was also kidnapped.

Name withheld- A 15 year old princess kidnapped with her mother, Ekiti State

Pete Edochie, the Movie star, Onitcha, AnambraAlhaji Adamu Umar-Permanent Secretary in the Niger State Ministry of Youth and Strategy

kidnapping raid

40Million

Not mentioned

They were released

N30 million

N10 million

Not mentioned

Not mentioned

(Agbo, 2007; Yusuf 2010; Adelakun, 2010 and Special Report, Dec14, 2012)

.

There are other cases of kidnapping which include

of couples during or after wedding, royal personages, medical

doctors, innocent children of high status or well to do

individuals as well as low status. The whole nation is living in

perpetual fear and no one seems to understand why? Or provide

lasting solution. Like a nightmare, the ghostly shadows of

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kidnapping has cast a huge pall of darkness in each of state of

Nigeria particularly the south-Eastern and South-South states.

Kano is also known for some serious kidnapping cases while delta

region is the worst. (Nigeria may now be perceived as a

Kidnappers’ den (Yusuf, 2010 and Awolusi, Dec 17, 2010)

In a recent analysis, the Street Journal (2013) reported that the

rate of kidnapping has risen considerably and not less than 1,500

people are kidnapped on annual basis; and those are reported

cases, one should be able to know that there may be so more or

less persons being kidnapped but not reported. It means indeed

kidnapping is becoming a fast growing industry in Nigeria. One can

imagine a group of kidnappers using a well-furnished four-bed room

flat at Saara Street in Oyo here to sell human body parts (The Sun

News, Feb.17, 2013s). They have a way of checking on their victims

whether they can yield enough money from their buyers. A widow who

is a mother of two boys was taken for money ritual in February

2013 by her fiancé and her body was sold in parts to their regular

customers. One will wonder if people in that environment could

sleep with their two eyes closed.

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Everyone in Nigeria is a potential victim,

whether rich or poor, male or female, good or bad, religious or

not; depending on the motive of the kidnappers. Though kidnapping

is not only peculiar to Nigeria but, the rate here is alarming.

Philippines, Mexico, Brazil, Colombia and so on are also notorious

in the kidnapping business. But the difference is that many of the

victims are well taken care of while in hostage in the other

countries while they were kept to suffer in Nigeria. In other

words, kidnapping is a global business (Street Journal, April 9,

2013). One can imagine the snatching of a new born from labour

room while the mother was battling for survival from post-delivery

bleeding (Onuha and Sampson, Feb.17, 2013). An attempt was made on

the mother of the President Goodluck Jonathan; if not for her

skilled opportunity to paddle a canoe by herself, she wouldn’t

have been able to escape. But not everyone is lucky as she was.

For example, the father of the footballer-John Obi Mike could not

escape his abductors. He was picked up on his way to work. To this

writer’s surprise, some serving soldiers were found to be among

the kidnappers. This is exactly where this writer is going. The

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people paid to secure the nation are among those causing chaos and

making Nigeria insecure for her people. Where do we go from here?

Furthermore, there were also reports which indicate

that the Nigerian Police Force cover crimes of some armed robbery

cases, casualties killed during robbery, vehicle stolen recovered

and some fraudulent acts of some bank officials (Alli, 2009).

There were 4 cases of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency

(NDLEA) arrest of some robbers in the Army and Police uniforms in

Oshun State. Travelling during the day is becoming an issue; talk

less of travelling by night because of the fear that one might be

robbed. One may be thanking God for these days banking system

which requires no need of carrying cash on business trip. But it

marvels one to see that, not been able to carry enough cash which

one can use to replace one’s life is another serious case. This is

because sometimes, the armed robbers spare one’s life by giving

them money or anything valuable like jewelry which they can sell.

What then do we do? Carry money – trouble, don’t carry money – gun

short. Recently a bus was flagged down along Akure-Ondo Road in

Ondo State by a team of NDLEA operatives on duty. Inside the bus

were locally made pistol, cutlasses, handsets, police and army13

uniforms. Suspects’ names were Murtala Olugbenga (25), Elijah

Barjuro (22), Cosmos Oloba (25) and Shedeah Emmjebor 25. Also,

nemesis caught up a man who hid a dry human skull in the roof of

his house at Ifewara in Osun State. Other things recovered from

Olaoye are 3 guns, live cartridges and charms. (Daily Sun, Nov 7,

2009)

The sum total of recorded armed robbery indicates –

Yoruba State 598

Rivers 145

Igbos 441

One can imagine the security statement made by the Ogun State

House of Assembly at commencement of Junior World cup in Nigeria

in October 2009. The Assembly pleaded the robbers to suspend their

activities in order not to give Nigeria a bad name. Even, the law

makers agreed to beg the bandits during deliberations on the floor

of the House at Oke – Mosan, Abeokuta complex. Mr. Odugbesan

raised his voice so loud.

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I want to appeal to the men of the underworld to suspend their actions andoperations in the interim because of our foreign visitors currently in the state.They can resume thereafter……….

Another State of insecurity bored on alarming violence,

deprivation, assault and victimizations.

Each day l ask, what has Nigeria done to the Nigerians, and why

are Nigerians causing these great measure of insecurity to the

Nigeria? Below are the summary of National victimization survey

between 2012 and 2014.

PLACE PERCENTAGE % South - South 12North – East 7North West Central 5South East 4North Central 3South – West 1Armed Violence

PLACE PERCENTAGE %At home 26Near Home 39Work place & School 15Others 20North Central 3Rape and Attempted Rape

PLACE PERCENTAGE %South – South 5North east 5Home 37

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Near Home 34School & Work place 26Elsewhere 3

Physical Assault

STATE PERCENTAGE%Kebbi 74Niger 68Edo 61Ebonyi 55Benue 53Delta 47FCT 15Oyo 14Ondo

Theft of Mobile Phones

PLACES PERCENTAGE%Edo 71Plateau 69Kebbi 65Delta 62Kwara 59Niger 58Kaduna 54

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Attempted Murder

PLACE PERCENTAGE%North – East 7North 5West 2

Road Safety and Accidents

PLACES PERCENTAGE%FCT 39Ebonyi 27Kogi 24Bornu 24Enugu 24Bayelsa 23C/Rivers 23Domestic Violence

PLACES PERCENTAGE%South West 42%South East 36%North East 22%

National Accident

Okada 42%

Mini Bus 32%(Clean Foundation 2012 & 2013)

Killing Statistics in Nigeria between 2012 and 2014

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This writer because of the scope of this paper limits

information to very recent years. Kashim Shetttima, Borno State

Governor in February 16 said he has been sad since he assumed

office 3 years ago. “If l have to open up to all of you here,

most of the time, l try to wear smiles on my face but in the true

sense, l have had very few moments of inner joy and happiness in

the last 3 years” (Shettima, Feb.16, 2014). This statement came as

a result of the Boko Haram activities mostly in the Northern part

of Nigeria with their head quarter in Borno state. The Punch in a

roll in February 2014 reported many cases of Boko Haram’s mass

killings, e.g 106 adult and youth were killed in Borno (February

16, 2014); 47 at Bama in the same Borno (February 19, 2014); 43

school children were killed at Buniyadi, Yobe State in February

25, 2014; some of which were burnt alive, some were sliced and

some has their throats slatted. This death rose to 59 the

following day. (Punch, February 17, 20 & 26, 2014). Between 2010

and 2014 Boko Haram insurgent has been able to destabilized,

destroyed and killed more than 2,000 in 14 out of 36 states. There

were other 28 alleged suicide bombings, high profile attacks and

extra judicial killings. (Abati, 2010; The Editorial, 2009)

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Institutional Violence and Cultism

The numbers of oppression, violence and cultism

situations are increasing every day. This writer was surprised at

the rate through which children, teenagers and adolescents destroy

one another and causing so much pain for the nation. In 2012, this

writer was asked by three different families to help look for

universities of low fee and no cultism to put their children. One

of the families could not afford putting their son in a private

university. Why were they looking for help? The cultist had

earlier beckoned on their teens in their school to join the

groups. These students are from three different universities in

both Oyo and Ondo States. It was so ridiculous that a university

out of the 3 called the parents to come and relocate their son if

they wanted him alive because the cultists are threatening his

life. The poor boy reported how he was asked to join them at 200

levels and he refused to join. Now in his 4th year (400 levels) in

the school, they were after him and the university could not

rescue their student. Part of the boy’s problem is that he is

brilliant and refuses to help them in the exam hall during the

first semester’s exam he has to leave. One of the three, i.e., the19

student from one of the University in Ondo State said he will not

go to any University in Nigeria because, the cult members will

transfer his case to them The parents of the third student took

loan from their cooperative society to send their son to one of

the private University for peace of mind. Can they have that

peace???

Many students have been killed or destroyed through cultism.

Unayan remarked that; violent include anti-social activities like

broad day armed robbery, gruesome murder, ritual killings, rape,

and molestations of different degrees which have been major

features in the campuses of tertiary institutions have been

attributed to cultism (Unayan, 2010: 357). The cults are powerful

notorious groups in our campuses and large numbers of our students

are members. Some of them are coaxed by issuance of threat to

incur or kill them if they refused. Some students deliberately

joined them because of the fear of oppression. Cults can do and

undo, it is so alarming that when parents send their children to

school, they have to sleep with their eyes widely opened because,

there is no security even in the school.

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Other sources which are not discussed in this

paper include poverty, unemployment, teenage pregnancy and

abortion, domestic violence, religious crises and marital

conflicts. Where shall we turn to? The womb seems not safe for

the innocent fetus because the home cannot guarantee the security

of the pregnant mother from the assault husband, the school cannot

issue required disciplinary measure, the church has become den of

robbers, the streets and the roads are bloody! Where else is

secured in Nigeria?

Biblical Suggestion for Peace and Security

The perspective of peace and security

The bible has a unique authority and testimony to

provide help and guidance for any nation on any issues bothering

its existence. The bible is indeed a formidable authority in

quieting the rage of animalistic behaviours. In Hebrew

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terminology, peace is ‘shalom’ which is used as a greeting between

friends (Ezra 5:7) and between members of the family. Even if

someone has travelled for some time, on his/her return he/she

heart fully pronounce ‘shalom’. Shalom is expressed in the absence

of hostilities between nations (I Kings 5:12). It is seeing as a

gift from God when it comes (Isa. 54:10) and if deluded prophets

cry ‘Peace, when there is no prospect of it, they will be punished

(Jer. 6: 14-15). Biblically, ultimate peace belongs to the

Messianic age (Isa. 9:6), because at the birth of Jesus Christ,

peace was pronounced on the entire nations of the world. This

wouldn’t have been done if there have been no insecurity,

turbulent, conflicts, crisis, violence, war, danger, trial and so

on.

Generally in the New Testament, ‘Peace’ means not

only harmonious relationship within or among nations (Luke 14:32),

but also the state which should exist both in the Christian

communities (Rom. 14:19) and also towards outsiders (Heb. 12:14).

The death of Christ established peace between God and humanity

(Col. 1:20) and between Jews (the circumcised race) and Gentiles

(the uncircumcised people) (Eph. 2:14). Peace and Security in the22

scriptures are serious spiritual matters. It is an aspect of God’s

protection of believers’ eternal salvation with reference to the

above.

Suggestions for Peace and Security

There is need to have a clear understanding of imago

dei concept. Man carried the divine image while every other thing

is subordinate to him (Gen 1:26-28, 3:22). The Reformed Theology

argued that the ‘image’ has been destroyed because of the man

immoral responsibility while the Catholic Theologians held that

the image was obscured but not lost in the fall of man at the

Garden of Eden (Guthrie et all, 1970). Each person is a royal

image-bearer which must be duly respected by all human. Man with

his connection to God’s nature should not be destructive but live

godly and in peace. Man has power to subdue violent behavior, he

can do it (Ps. 8:5-8 Pro. 8:30). The chief end of man is to

understand and obey the law. The scriptures provided for the law

and means to obey the laws of the land which has its root in the

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scriptural laws. In fact, we are created to obey rules and

regulations because the sum total of every law are revelation of

God. It is through obedience that salvation is restored and man is

equipped to fellowship with other humans. For instance, in the

supreme law, man is asked to love God and love fellow beings

regardless of who the person is. Love creates room for

forgiveness. Honouring fellow beings and be at peace with everyone

makes the society progressive. Nigerians therefor badly need to be

reconciled with one another (Matt. 5:24; 2 Cor. 51f; Rom. 5:10;

Eph. 2: 14). The following ways may be used to accomplish the

focus of this conference:

Living for one another: The bible is an advocate for the

oppressed, the poor, the slaves, the powerless and the captives.

Each Nigerians belong to one of these groups mentioned. One may be

very rich but powerless and may be oppressed. If armed robbers

could enter churches, and the kidnappers can attempt to kidnap the

mother of the head of state; then, it is a signal that, we have to

proclaim liberty, speak against injustice and abused of all kind.

Nigerians should be inspired by the words of Jesus in Luke 4:18-

19; “He has sent me to bring good news to the captives and to set24

the oppressed free”. We must not keep mute henceforth, but speak

of the freedom the entire nation demanded.

Dealing with sins: Sins is the transgression of the law. The

consequences of sins reduce man’s integrity to zero level.

Nigerians have committed a number of sins that must be adequately

dealt with if this nation will not be totally destroyed by her

enemy; which is Satan. Every devilish act must be stopped. The

scriptures make provision for redemptive victory over sin. The

curse can be broken through repentance and trust in God the

creator. God clothed Adam and Eve (Gen 3:10), He is the same God

if we will yield to His redemptive provision. There are no efforts

made by the government or individuals that can restore peace and

security to this nation rather than accepting God’s provision

(Acts 3:19-21).

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Reference

Abati, Ruben (2010) Ransom Kidnapping, Hostage Taking and

Bewildered Nigeria.( http: ii

nigeriavillaequare.wm/articles/rubenabati). Accessed Jan 10,

2014.

Ahamefule, Uzoma (2013) ”The Way Forward” CEI. January.

Ehiogbae, Efe M. (2010) “Ransome. Kidnapping and National Development:

Nigeria at the

Cross Road” Religions Vol. 21.

Tijani, Maaruf (2010)” Peace in Nigeria: The Road not Taken”

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The Punch (2014) “Boko Haram Kills 43 School” Studylight. Org. 2010-

2013.

Holman Bible Dictionary. “Security of Believer”

The Street Journal Magazine 2013-2014

The Editorial, This Day Newspaper Feb 25, 2009.

The Punch “B’Haram Murders 106 in Fresh Attack” Feb. 17. 2014.

The Punch “47 killed as N’Haram Attacks Bana Again” February 20,

2014

The Punch “College Massacre: Outrage as Death Toll Reaches 59”.

Feb 27, 2014

The Punch “Boko Haram Kills 43 School Children”. February 26, 2014

Unayan, Joseph O. (2010) “Religion and Cultism in Nigeria Tertiary Institutions”

Religion ad

the Nigerian Nation

Interview

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Dele Adejumo (24) 400 level student of Bowen University Iwo. 2013

Sam Oyekanmi (23) 400 level Student Obafemi Awolowo University,

Ile-Ife. 2013

Ruth Olanipekun (23) 300 level student LAUTECH Ogbomoso. 2014

Sanmi Oyeyiola (24) 300 Level Student LAUTECH Ogbomoso, 2014

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