During a conference in Abuja, Rev. Fr. Matthew Hassan Kukah, the Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, expressed concern about the prevalent fear and insecurity experienced by Nigerians, particularly during travel.

He emphasized the urgent need to find sustainable solutions to address this menace.

Bishop Kukah urged Nigerians to remain vigilant and stressed that without secure communities, meaningful development would be challenging to achieve.

He also spoke about importance of respect, community-building, and religious leaders’ role in fostering a sense of unity beyond religious boundaries.

He called for national cohesion, as divisions based on ethnicity, social class, and region have become sources of conflict.

The celebrant of the event, Rev. Fr. Stephen Ojapah, who was once a kidnapping victim, appealed to the Nigerian government to prioritize mental health and trauma management, recognizing their significant impact on the nation’s development.