‘Establish regional, state police to tackle insecurity’

Bishop of the Diocese of Amichi, Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion), Rt. Reverend Ephraim Ikeakor has condemned the level of insecurity in the country and called on the Federal Government to establish regional and state police as a means of tackling criminal activities frontally.

The Bishop who stated that Nigeria is gradually becoming a failed state, cited political theories of Max Weber to buttress his point. He defined a state as maintaining a monopoly on the legitimate use of physical force within its borders and a failed state as when the monopoly is broken through the dominant presence of warlords, paramilitary groups, corrupt policing, armed gangs, terrorists, and terrorism activities.

“A nation where bandits, terrorists, kidnappers, and criminals take their nefarious activities to state and public infrastructures and facilities, like the airport, railways, correctional centres, military bases, Police stations, and major highways, without resistance from the nation’s security agencies is a worrisome green light signalling a failed state,” Ikeakor stated.

Addressing worshippers at the second Session of the fifth Synod of the Diocese of Amichi (Anglican Communion), held at Saint Peter’s Anglican Church, Umudim, Amichi, Nnewi South Local Council of Anambra State, with the theme: “Strangers and Pilgrims In The World: Our Christian Status,” the cleric described Nigeria’s situation as worrisome, insisting that the country’s bad situation has degenerated from things falling apart to the point where people could only recall that there was a country called Nigeria.

According to him: “When I remember and want to discuss our nation Nigeria though unwillingly most of the time, the first thing that flashes on my mind are three books written by Professor Chinua Achebe, which include: The Arrow of God; Things Fall Apart, and There was a Country. Before now, we were shouting that things are falling apart in Nigeria, but now, every right-thinking person living in this country knows that there was a country called Nigeria.”

Ikeakor called on Christians to be mindful of their heavenly position and pilgrims here on earth. He explained that the Synod theme was aimed at reawakening the consciousness of being heavenly minded in Christians and urged believers to uphold and live out the heavenly culture and tenets as citizens of heaven sojourning on earth.

Ikeakor enumerated some of the developments in the diocese within the year and revealed that the Diocesan School of Midwifery would take off in November 2022.

The Bishop of Aguata, Rt. Reverend Dr Samuel Ezeofor, who spoke on behalf of other Bishops at the Synod, thanked the host Bishop for reminding Christians that they are strangers in the world. He also commended Ikeakor for his episcopal work in the Diocese, describing him as a blessing to Amichi Diocese and humanity.

The Synod, which held from June 2 to 5, 2022 ended with a thanksgiving service, which attracted dignitaries from all walks of life, including the Governor of Anambra State, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo and wife, Nonye, a foremost traditional ruler, Igwe Col. Wisdom J.O.C Onebunne of Akwaihedi, Nnewi South Local Council and his Nnewi counterpart, Igwe K.O. Orizu, among others.