A prominent religious leader from Calabar has pointed to a critical failure in political leadership as the root cause of Nigeria's prolonged security crisis, dismissing claims of military incapability.
Political Courage, Not Military Might, is the Missing Link
In a powerful statement made on January 8, 2026, Josef Bassey, the leader of the Cross River State Christian Leaders Forum and spiritual head of God's Heritage Nation, argued that the nation's persistent insecurity is not a sign of a weak military. Instead, he attributed the crisis to a profound lack of political will and courage needed to confront powerful vested interests that benefit from the chaos.
Speaking to journalists in Calabar, Bassey described the ongoing violence, particularly against Christian communities, as nothing short of genocide. He lamented that these attacks have continued for years despite repeated denials from various quarters.
The Normalisation of Violence and a Glimmer of Hope
The cleric painted a grim picture of a society growing numb to bloodshed. He stated that the frequency of killings has made them seem routine, stripping them of news value because they happen daily without any significant consequences or meaningful governmental response.
"The normalisation of violence has left many Christians feeling helpless and abandoned," Bassey said, "leaving many of them as victims in situations with no hope of rescue." He suggested that fear drives many Nigerians to deny the genocide, prioritizing self-preservation over truth.
However, he noted a shift, expressing that renewed global attention, led by the United States, has offered victims a newfound confidence that their cries may finally be heard by the international community.
Intelligence-Driven Solutions and a Call for Government Action
Commenting on the recent United States airstrikes in Sokoto State, Bassey emphasized that effective military operations are fundamentally intelligence-driven. He stressed that insurgency cannot be decisively ended without targeting the leadership and intelligence structures that coordinate violence across different regions.
Looking ahead, the cleric issued a direct appeal to the Federal Government. He urged authorities to do more for citizens in the new year, with a sharp focus on security and welfare. Bassey called for the creation of a conducive and trustworthy environment where the labour and talents of Nigerians can truly thrive, free from the shadow of fear and violence.
