In my work as a Social Development Legal Practitioner, focusing on Child Safeguarding and Protection, Family Strengthening and Right-Based Approach Parenting, highlighting the African perspectives to the globally recognized professional calling, I have had my fair share of hazards of the job, including threat to life, police brutality and the rest.

I must however submit today that whatever I have faced is not comparable to what Christian clergy face daily in Northern Nigeria unabated, particularly in recent years with the escalated attacks from virulent terrorist groups like Boko Haram and ISWAP.

It is of note that the Nigeria State has completely lost the bearing of its primary and constitutional duty of government, which is the preservation of lives and property and securing social protection.

It is in the light of the foregoing that I call attention to the hazards of the job of a clergy in Northern Nigeria, again urging the people that it is time to birth an egalitarian Nigeria, where the welfare and the security of the people shall be the primary aim of government.

The Very Reverend Father Isaac Achi was gruesomely murdered and burnt to ashes on January 15, 2023, by suspected terrorists at St. Peter and Paul Catholic Church, Kafin-Koro, Niger State, who burnt the church down with Reverend Father inside.

Here are some of the grave hazards the Reverend Gentleman experienced on the job in his 28 years of ministry:

2011: He survived the Boko Haram Christmas Day bombing in 2011 at St. Theresa Catholic Church in Madalla, Niger State, leading to the death of 44 persons, many of whom were parishioners.

2021: he was kidnapped by terrorist and spent several days in captivity until the church members raise and paid the ransom for his released after which he was released.

2021: he survived a robbery shooting.

Yet in the face of attacks and attempts on his life, the gallant general continued to dedicate himself to serving his local community of Kaffin-Koro, Niger State, and its environs. He also saw to the provision of social amenities.

Today, the insecurity in the Northern part of Nigeria, which has claimed millions of lives defy all logic of security intervention.

I salute the courage of men and women of the Christian faith, who as members and leaders continue to fly high the flag of the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ in Northern Nigerian in the face of bloodcurdling and unbridled persecution.

I know that in the words of Walter Rodney, ‘this act in itself will not
delay their day of judgement…’ and that of their callous collaborations.

Here is my #SOCIOLOGUE this week