The archbishop stressed that the Nigerian government's primary responsibility enshrined in its constitution was the "protection of lives and property of its citizens irrespective of ethnic and/or religious persuasion."
In 2020, at least eight priests and seminarians have been kidnapped in Nigeria, including 18-year-old seminarian Michael Nnadi, who was killed after gunmen kidnapped him and three other seminarians in an attack on Good Shepherd Seminary in Kaduna.
The Nigerian International Society for Civil Liberties and Rule of Law reported in May that at least 20 Christian clergy, including Catholic priests and seminarians, have been killed in Nigeria since June 2015, and another 50 have been abducted over the past 5 years.
Kaigama noted that "victims of ideologically motivated kidnappings face a higher threat of death and may experience longer times in captivity."
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"Boko Haram violence, kidnappings and banditry represent gross violations of human rights. It is important to pay attention to all the stages, processes and trends of the occurrences because they are interrelated. Structural injustices meted out to youths and minority groups are appalling, and if unchecked may lead us to a point of no return," he said.
Catholic Bishops in Nigeria have repeatedly called on the government to impose strict measures to protect her citizens.
"It is just unimaginable and inconceivable to celebrate Nigeria at 60 when our roads are not safe; our people are kidnapped, and they sell their properties to pay ransom to criminals," members of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of Nigeria wrote in a statement on Oct. 1.
"Our hope is in God who never fails. Human beings may fail us, but those who put their hope and trust in God will always be delivered. With hope, faith, and charity, let us pray and work for the good of Nigeria," the bishops said.
"Let us not despair in the face of these daunting challenges and crises facing our beloved country. May Christ help to transform us, for us to transform Nigeria."
Courtney Mares is a Rome Correspondent for Catholic News Agency. A graduate of Harvard University, she has reported from news bureaus on three continents and was awarded the Gardner Fellowship for her work with North Korean refugees.