The Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria has raised a strong alarm over Nigeria’s worsening security situation, warning that the country is fast becoming a “killing field” amid rising cases of banditry, kidnappings and violent attacks across several regions.
The Christian body made the declaration on Sunday at the conclusion of its three-day national fasting and prayer programme held between May 22 and May 24, 2026, as part of activities marking the Global Pentecost Day.
Speaking at the national level, the PFN President, Bishop Francis Wale Oke, led state chairmen of the fellowship in expressing deep concern over what they described as the worsening loss of human life and the growing normalisation of violence across the country.
Bishop Wale Oke said the level of insecurity in Nigeria had reached an intolerable point, warning that citizens were increasingly living in fear as killings and abductions continue unabated in several parts of the federation.
However, in another engagement earlier in Ibadan, the National Vice President (South-West) of PFN, Bishop Taiwo Adelakun, also addressed journalists and led a peaceful demonstration at the Rehoboth Cathedral Oluyole Ibadan, where he read the official speech of the PFN national leadership to the press.
Bishop Adelakun, who is also the presiding Bishop of Victory International Church and Chancellor of Dominion University, both in Ibadan, expressed personal grief over the escalating insecurity and reiterated the fellowship’s call for urgent national action.
He described the demonstration as peaceful but deeply symbolic, reflecting the anguish of Christians and citizens over the state of the nation.
The PFN cited several longstanding and recent security tragedies, including the continued captivity of the Chibok schoolgirls, the prolonged abduction of Leah Sharibu, and the killing of Deborah Samuel in Sokoto, as painful reminders of unresolved national security failures.
It also referenced repeated violent attacks in Plateau, Benue, Taraba, Kaduna, Edo, Kogi and Ondo states, as well as reports of displaced communities in Kwara State following bandit incursions.
The fellowship further expressed concern over the security situation in Oyo State, which it described as a recent flashpoint following the abduction of teachers and students, during which a teacher, identified as Michael Oyedokun, was allegedly beheaded while another was killed.
According to PFN, Nigeria is becoming a “killing field” due to what it described as the continued inability of authorities to decisively end the cycle of violence.
The statement read in part, “We are burdened for Nigeria today because we have lost our sense of value for human life and its sanctity. The level of banditry, kidnapping, violence and savage killings across the Nigerian landscape has risen to an intolerable height.”
The fellowship also criticised what it called weak political will in tackling insecurity, arguing that government focus appears increasingly directed toward political survival and elections rather than the protection of lives and property.
It further faulted the rehabilitation of so-called “repentant” insurgents, alleging that some had been integrated into the nation’s security architecture, a development it said raises serious questions about national security integrity.
PFN warned that the continued insecurity was eroding national unity, discouraging investment, and forcing many Nigerians—especially skilled professionals, to seek safety abroad.
“We are burdened because this intolerable violence is becoming normal in Nigeria,” the statement added.
The body disclosed that its National Executive Council met on May 19, 2026, where members resolved to embark on fasting, prayers and a national call for divine intervention, while also agreeing to speak out publicly against the worsening security situation.
“We have fasted. We have prayed. Now we speak,” the fellowship declared.
The PFN called on the Federal Government to urgently fulfil its constitutional responsibility of protecting all citizens regardless of ethnic or religious background, urging decisive action to halt further bloodshed across the country.
It also urged authorities to explore international cooperation and partnerships to address insecurity before the situation deteriorates further.
The Christian organisation further called on churches across the country to remain united, intensify prayers, and speak with one voice against violence while supporting efforts to restore peace.
“We speak because silence aids the killers and their sponsors,” the PFN warned.
The fellowship, however, expressed hope that divine intervention would bring an end to the violence, restore peace across the country, and heal what it described as a wounded nation.