Following the kidnapping of eight children from an orphanage on Saturday, Archbishop Ignatius Kaigama of Abuja calls on the Nigerian government to ensure the protection of Nigerians.
By Vatican News staff writer
In another unfortunate instance of the rising state of insecurity in Nigeria, at least eight children were abducted from an orphanage in Naharati, Abaji Area Council in Abuja on Saturday.
News reports say that at around 1:00 local time, a group of heavily armed men suspected to be Islamic extremist militants, stormed Rachel’s Orphanage Home located in the federal capital territory, heading directly towards the childrens’ dormitories. In addition to the children, the unidentified men reportedly also took away some employees of the orphanage.
In an interview with Gabriella Ceraso of Vatican News, Archbishop Ignatius Ayau Kaigama of Abuja, expressed his sorrow for the kidnapping and called for improved protection of Nigerian lives and property.
Worrying trend of insecurity
Archbishop Kaigama lamented the degeneration of the situation of security in the country. Particularly concerning to him is that the unfortunate incident took place in Abuja, the federal capital territory.
“One would have imagined that being around the federal capital territory one would be safer,” he said. “But we can see that even the children are not safe.”
Increased kidnappings
In recent times, the phenomenon of kidnapping has become more commonplace. In some instances, those kidnapped included government officials and even some members of the clergy and religious.