By Our Correspondent

Anglican Diocese of Enugu has called for an immediate action amid reported infiltration of forests in the South-East by terrorists.

This formed part of the communique issued by the 3rd Session of the 19th Synod of the Diocese held at St. Peter’s Church, Ogbete, Enugu, from Wednesday, 24th June, 2026 to Sunday, 28th June, 2026.
The Synod was presided over by the Bishop of Diocese of Enugu, His Lordship, Rt. Rev. Prof. Samuel Obiajulu Ike.

The Synod resolution made available to journalists on Sunday was signed by His Lordship, Rt. Rev. Prof. Samuel Obiajulu Ike, Bishop, Anglican Diocese of Enugu, Prof. Offornze D. Amucheazi (SAN), Chancellor, Rev. Canon Dr. Ifeanyi Agu, Synod Secretary and H/H Paulson C. Egbo, Registrar.

The Synod congratulated President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on his 3rd year in office and the milestones achieved thus far, including the unification of Nigeria’s Forex windows and better tax administration system.

It, however, reminded the President that he came to power promising much more.

The church was particularly worried over the reported “presence of terrorists in the forests of the South East States and urges both the Federal Government and State Governments of the South East to take immediate steps to flush out the terrorists from their hiding places.”

The Synod also raised concern that despite the humongous allocation of N5.41 trillion in the 2026 budget for the fight against insecurity in the country, the menace had continued to ravage the country, including the horrific kidnapping and killing of innocent children and teachers in schools.

“The Synod also sees the back-and-forth argument about Christian genocide as needless, for it is obvious that Christians are intentionally being targeted for elimination in Northern Nigeria.

“The Synod also calls on the Government to punish terrorists and their sponsors severely.

“The Synod views with dismay the use of social media by Nigerians and terrorists to spread fear and terror in the country and calls on the Federal Government to sanction social media platforms that allow them,” the resolution further stated.

The Enugu Anglican Diocese also frowned at the delay in completing the Eastern Rail Line (Port Harcourt – Maiduguri) Project, which had remained a pipe dream, and called on the Federal Government to expedite action to alleviate the suffering of the people.

The Synod expressed dismay that about three years after President Bola Tinubu’s promise of affordable, accessible, and reliable power, Nigerians continue to grope in darkness amid high electricity tariffs.

On the 2027 elections, the Synod expressed displeasure at the overheating of the polity by politicians and urged political parties to play according to the rules, and calls on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to ensure a level playing field for all political parties and their candidates.

“The Synod urges the electorate to obtain their voter cards to be eligible to vote in the 2027 elections.

“The Synod commends the continuing efforts of the Enugu State Government as the primus inter pares among the States in good governance.

“The Synod notes that His Excellency, the Governor of Enugu State, Dr Peter Ndubuisi Mbah, has made giant strides in enhancing infrastructure, security, health, and education, among other areas.

“The Synod commends the Government of Enugu State for heeding the cry for downward reviews of multiple taxes that were making life unbearable for residents of Enugu State. The Synod, however, calls for further reductions in taxes.

“The Diocese of Enugu declares zero tolerance for Gender-Based Violence (GBV) and calls on governments, civil rights organisations, and individuals to fight against such inhumane activities,” the Church said further in the resolution

By Our Correspondent

The Muslim Media Watch Group of Nigeria, MMWG, has called on the Federal Government to compel petroleum marketers to reduce fuel prices, arguing there is “no basis” to keep petrol above N1,000 per litre now that global oil prices have dropped to pre-war levels.

In a press statement issued Friday and signed by its National Coordinator, Alhaji Ibrahim Abdullahi, the group said the recent ceasefire between Iran and the United States has eased tensions in the Gulf Region and led to a fall in international oil prices.

“The America/Israel against Iran war that forced the prices of the petroleum products up has subsided following ceasefire agreement between Iran and America hence, there is no basis for petroleum marketers in Nigeria to keep the price of Premium Motor Spirit in particular to above N1000 per litre,” the statement read.

The group described the continued high pump prices as “highly insensitive and inhuman,” and accused marketers of economic sabotage against Nigerians. It said petrol and diesel, which directly affect the cost of living, must be forced down to below N1,000 per litre.

MMWG noted that religious bodies had intensified prayers for an end to the Gulf conflict over the past year. “How could the prayers be answered and some shylocks would still continue to prolong the hardship of our people?” it queried.

It added that reports show other countries affected by the war are already enjoying reduced fuel costs, “wondering why such is yet to happen in Nigeria.”

To ease hardship, the group urged the Federal Government to order marketers to revert to the “pre-war price of N700 per litre of petrol.” It also called on the Federal Competition and Consumers Protection Commission, FCCPC, under the Federal Ministry of Trade, Industry and Investment, to intervene without delay.

“It must be stated that Nigeria’s economic hardship on the people would continue if the petroleum marketers are allowed to indiscriminately hike prices of petroleum products without check,” it warned.

The group commended the Dangote Group for leading petroleum refining reforms and efforts to ensure fair pricing, but however, urged the company to “champion the cause of forcing the prices of the commodity down to relieve Nigerians of serious hardship being faced presently.”

By Abdul-Ganiyy Akanbi

Founder of the Al-Hakeem Islamic Foundation of Nigeria, AIFN, Alhaji Imam Abdul Hakeem Abdul Rasheed Adebayo, has said that Nigeria can defeat banditry by applying Qur’anic principles of justice, expanding economic opportunities, and investing in education and moral reorientation.

In a paper presented on “An Islamic Approach to Combating Banditry in Nigeria: Banditry as a Case Study of National Insecurity” in Osun State, Imam Adebayo described banditry as one of the country’s most serious security challenges, particularly in the North.

He said activities such as kidnapping, cattle rustling, village attacks, murder and destruction of property have caused loss of lives, displacement of communities, economic hardship and widespread fear among citizens.

Quoting the Qur’an 4:93, the cleric said: “Whoever kills a believer intentionally, his recompense is Hell, wherein he will abide forever, and Allah’s wrath and curse are upon him,” adding that Islam therefore condemns all forms of unlawful violence and criminality.

Imam Adebayo defined banditry as organized crime involving armed robbery, kidnapping for ransom, extortion, attacks on villages, and destruction of lives and property. He said from an Islamic perspective, it falls under Hirabah, or waging war and spreading terror, which is prohibited in Qur’an 5:33.

The scholar identified six major causes of banditry in Nigeria as poverty and economic hardship, illiteracy and ignorance, weak law enforcement, corruption, proliferation of illegal weapons, and moral and spiritual decay.

He said the effects of the crisis include thousands of deaths, collapse of agricultural and trading activities, displacement of families, closure of schools, and psychological trauma for victims and affected communities.

To address the problem, Imam Adebayo proposed eight Islamic-based solutions for government, security agencies, religious leaders and citizens.

First, he said government must ensure criminals are prosecuted fairly and swiftly in line with the law, citing Qur’an 16:90: “Indeed, Allah commands justice.”

Second, he urged strengthening of the security architecture through better training, equipment and modern technology for intelligence gathering and rapid response.

Third, he called for tackling corruption, insisting that officials entrusted with security resources must be held accountable.

Fourth, the cleric recommended economic empowerment through investment in agriculture, vocational training and employment programs to reduce desperation among youths.

Fifth, he said government should expand quality education, especially in rural communities that are vulnerable to recruitment by criminal groups.

Sixth, Imam Adebayo advised local communities to cooperate with security agencies by providing credible intelligence while following lawful procedures.

Seventh, he tasked Islamic scholars, imams and educators to intensify teaching on the sanctity of human life, honesty and peaceful coexistence.

Eighth, he said individuals who genuinely repent and abandon criminality should be given opportunities for rehabilitation and reintegration under government programs.

He made specific recommendations to the Federal Government, including improving intelligence and surveillance, enhancing welfare and capacity of security personnel, and strengthening border security to curb illegal arms trafficking.

Other recommendations are increased investment in rural development and youth empowerment, closer cooperation between government, traditional rulers and religious leaders, and intensified anti-corruption efforts within security institutions.

Imam Adebayo also called for effective rehabilitation programs for repentant offenders and justice for victims and affected communities.

He concluded that banditry remains a major threat to Nigeria’s peace, unity and development, but Islam provides comprehensive principles for security and social order.

“Through justice, effective governance, economic empowerment, quality education, moral reorientation, and sincere reliance upon Allah, Nigeria can overcome the challenge of banditry and achieve lasting peace,” he said.