Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria (CBCN) have raised alarm over the looming collapse of Nigeria as a nation owing to the increasing level of insecurity ravaging the entire country.

The Bishops said that the country had remained together just by the grace of God, adding that the survival of the nation was presently at stake.

This was contained in a statement jointly signed by the CBCN President, Archbishop Augustine Akubueze and the Secretary, Most Rev. Camillus Raymond Umoh in Abuja on Tuesday.

According to the statement, the country is falling apart due to serious rising insecurity clearly evident in widespread loss of lives and property triggered by the increasing number of bandits, Boko Haram, killer herdsmen and other criminal elements across the country.

The Bishops stressed that the insecurity had forced people to believe that those who have assumed the duty and authority to secure the nation are either unable or unwilling to take up the responsibilities of their office.

The CBCN called on relevant authorities to quickly address the situation, adding that time is running out and the situation needs to improve!

The statement reads in parts, “The clamour for self-defense is fast gaining ground. Many ethnic champions are loudly beating the drums of war, calling not only for greater autonomy but even for outright opting out of a nation in which they have lost all trust and sense of belonging. The calls for secession on an ethnic basis from many quarters should not be ignored or taken lightly.

“Many have given up on the viability and even on the desirability of the Nigeria project as one united country. No wonder many non-state actors are filling the vacuum created by a palpable failure of government.

“The Federal Government under President Muhammadu Buhari can no longer delay rising to its obligation to govern the nation; not according to ethnic and religious biases but along the lines of objective and positive principles of fairness, equity and, above all, justice.

“It is not too much for Nigerians to demand from Mr President sincerity both in the public and private domain. There are no more excuses.

“We, of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria, with members from all parts of Nigeria, are very highly disturbed about the present state of instability in the land.

“This must not be allowed to continue to fester and degenerate. We are raising this alarm because of our deep patriotic love for our nation, not for any sectional interests, be they political, ethnic or even religious.

“Despite the persistence of crises around us; assassinations, Covid 19, kidnappings, murders, banditry, armed robberies, we sincerely affirm our faith in the viability and desirability of the Nigeria Project, as one prosperous nation under God.

“But we are also convinced that building such a nation, especially in our present circumstances, comes at a cost. We are also convinced that the alternative of tearing ourselves apart, comes with a cost that is far higher than what it takes to keep ourselves together.

“We must be ready to seek a common purpose with sincerity of mind. As individuals and as groups, we ought to be ready to make the necessary sacrifices that would enable us to manage our differences better and turn them into a positive rather than a negative force. Governments at different levels ought to lead the way”.

Benue Governor Samuel Ortom has taken a swipe at his Bauchi counterpart Bala Mohammed, describing him as a Fulani terrorist .

Addressing journalists at Government House Makurdi on Monday, Ortom ,who was reacting to an earlier attack on him by Mohammed, also alleged the Bauchi Governor may be among the armed Fulani who want to kill him .

“Some herdsmen wrote me a letter that they will kill me from the way and manner my brother and Governor of Bauchi spoke in support of herdsmen carrying arms, I suspect that he is one among the Fulani who wants to kill me and should anything happen to me they should not look far,” Ortom stated.

He expressed shock that a Governor, who took oath to safe guard lives and property, will openly support armed herdsmen who came from Ghana, Niger, Libya etc to kill in Nigeria.

He warned herdsmen who carry arms should go to Bauchi and not stay in Benue .

On allegations he launched a blistering attack on President Muhammadu Buhari, Ortom said it was harmless advice to the presidency on the worsening security situation in the nation.

The Imo State Police Command has released Rochas Okorocha, a former Governor of the State.

Orlando Ikeokwu, the state Police Public Relations Officer disclosed this while featuring on Channels Television’s programme, Sunrise Daily, on Monday.

Okorocha was arrested after he broke into an estate belonging to his wife which was sealed by the state government.

The Imo West Senator while speaking on his arrest had accused the state Governor, Hope Uzodinma of ordering his arrest.

However, the state police spokesman said Okorocha was released last night.

Ikeokwu also hinted on the possibility of prosecuting Okorocha if found guilty.

He explained that the former governor was only, “invited” for “questioning” over the unsealing of the Spring Palm Estate.

“He was released later at night. If anybody is found culpable, definitely, he will be charged to court.

“If investigation proves that he (Okorocha) has committed an offence, he will be charged to court,” he said.