Women must lead fight against insecurity, says Bishop Otuya

By Vera Anyagafu

The President of Mothers of the Nations and the first female President of the United Gospel Churches Association of Nigeria, Bishop Dr. Priscilla Otuya, has called on Nigerian women to take a frontline role in tackling the country’s worsening insecurity, warning that the rising wave of kidnappings, killings and violent attacks poses a serious threat to the nation’s future.

Speaking at the launch of the Nigeria First: Women in Concert for Peace in Nigeria campaign in Lagos, Otuya said women must support government efforts to curb insecurity and protect the country’s youth from escalating violence.

She described the increasing incidents of kidnapping and attacks across the country as alarming and unacceptable, stressing that mothers have a responsibility to rise and confront the crisis.

“The rate at which kidnapping and incursions are going on in Nigeria is alarming,” she said. “Our youth, the supposed leaders of tomorrow, are being murdered daily by unscrupulous individuals. Mothers must arise to confront this.”

According to Otuya, the Nigeria First campaign is designed to sensitise Nigerians at home and in the diaspora to what its promoters describe as negative narratives against the country, while encouraging patriotism, national rebirth and unity.

She expressed concern over the exploitation of religious and ethnic differences to deepen divisions and undermine national cohesion, urging Nigerians to reject divisive tendencies and embrace peaceful coexistence and collective nation-building.

Drawing inspiration from the biblical story of Deborah, the prophetess and judge who led Israel during a period of oppression, Otuya said Nigerian women possess the courage, wisdom and grace needed to drive positive change in society.

“Nigerian women have to take charge, arise and say no to the happenings that are snatching our children,” she said. “This is the time to support the government and lend our voices to clamp down on this menace and put a total stop to the killing of innocent Nigerians.”

Also speaking at the event, Rev. Dr. Gladys Binitie of Christ Is Risen Church underscored the urgency of addressing insecurity and called on mothers to remain vigilant.

She cited reports of abductions, killings, rape and other violent crimes across different parts of the country, urging communities to work closely with security agencies to prevent further attacks.

“This crime is widely perpetrated by some Nigerians in alignment with foreign infiltration,” Binitie said, while advocating greater community alertness and cooperation with law enforcement agencies.

Binitie was also appointed Coordinator of the God’s Women in Nigeria and Diaspora Initiative by the United Gospel Churches Association of Nigeria, in recognition of her contributions to women’s mobilisation, faith-based advocacy and national development.

Providing a legal perspective, the Focal Person of the International Federation of Female Ministers and President of African Women Professionals, Barrister Nene Kalu, said combating insecurity requires collective action by citizens and government alike.

Kalu noted that while government efforts should be acknowledged, more intelligence gathering and security support are urgently needed to identify and prosecute those responsible for attacks across the country.

She linked the worsening security situation to increasing emigration and economic challenges, noting that many Nigerians are leaving the country out of fear rather than a lack of opportunities.

“Many Nigerians are migrating, not because Nigeria is lacking in resources, but out of fear of insecurity,” she said.

Kalu warned that insecurity was affecting schools, agriculture and social stability, while political tensions ahead of future elections were adding to public anxiety.

“Nowhere seems safe anymore. School children are insecure. The future is looking bleak,” she said, adding that attacks on farming communities were worsening food insecurity.

“We cannot fold our arms and watch any longer. Childbearing is not an easy thing. We cannot labour for bandits to come and take the children we are looking up to when we are frail and weak.”

The call comes amid growing public concern over banditry, kidnappings and attacks on communities in several parts of Nigeria.

Under the platform of God’s Women in Nigeria (GOD’S WIN), the women leaders advocated greater inclusion of women in peace-building and security discussions, citing their critical role in community cohesion, conflict prevention and early warning systems.

They also urged women across the country to mobilise within their homes, communities and faith groups to promote accountability, protect vulnerable persons and contribute to building a peaceful, secure and prosperous Nigeria.

The launch of the Nigeria First campaign ended with a renewed call for patriotism, collective responsibility and national unity as key pillars for addressing the country’s security challenges and securing a better future for coming generations.

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