In a bold statement that has sparked widespread conversation, the retired Archbishop of Enugu Anglican Diocese, Most Rev Prof Emmanuel Chukwuma, has described the surge of banditry in Northern Nigeria as “God’s punishment for the injustices meted out to the Igbos.” During an interview with Vanguard, Archbishop Chukwuma expressed a strong belief that the persistent issue of banditry and killings plaguing the Northern region of the country will not cease until there is a formal apology extended to the Igbos for past grievances.
This controversial stance by the Archbishop touches on deeply rooted historical tensions within Nigeria, highlighting the long-standing ethnic and regional disparities that have shaped the country’s political and social landscape. As this statement circulates, it is expected to stir a range of responses from various quarters, opening up discussions on reconciliation, justice, and the path forward for a nation still grappling with the shadows of its past.
Statement reads;
“Gowon is very apologetic and that was why he started ‘Nigeria Praise’ and we have to commend him for that. That ‘Nigeria Praise’ was to revive the spirit of the people back from the Civil War and to reconcile people back to God and to go on with one Nigeria.
“Well, he has done it many times when he was doing ‘Nigeria Praise’; when he was moving around, he apologized but that’s not enough. The thing is that the Nigeria government should do that because the Nigeria Civil War dealt with us in Asaba, it was a real genocide and we’re asking for apology and more compensation as they do in other places. What is happening now in the whole of northern Nigeria – the banditry, kidnappings etc – is God’s punishment for what they did to us, yes! And until they apologize and ask for forgiveness, at no time will this banditry, kidnapping and killings stop. The blood of innocent people is crying and that’s what you are seeing there. So until they apologize and make some restitution, the banditry and mayhem you have in the North will not stop.”