By Abdullahi Alhassan, Kaduna
As Christians in Nigeria and across the world mark Easter, a season that symbolizes sacrifice, hope, and renewal, the Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC) has demanded an end to the nation's growing trauma and called for collective action against the killings of innocent Nigerians.
In a press statement signed by its Executive Director, Comrade Auwal Musa Rafsanjani, CISLAC lamented the ongoing wave of violence in the country, citing the attacks on Logo and Gbagir communities in Benue State and the horrific massacres in Plateau State that claimed over 50 lives.
"Easter is meant to be a time of deep reflection, not just for individuals but for leaders as well," Rafsanjani said. "Yet, for millions of Nigerians, it has become a painful reminder of lives cut short, families shattered, and a country steadily descending into insecurity, economic hardship, and official indifference."
CISLAC criticized the government's response to the crisis, particularly the absence of empathy and decisive leadership from President Bola Tinubu. "Leadership is not just about holding office; it is about being present in times of peace and, more importantly, in times of crisis," Rafsanjani said. "Sadly, Nigerians are forced to watch their leader move from city to city abroad while their own communities suffer."
The organization also expressed concerns about the government's apparent lack of prioritization in defeating violent criminals, despite the considerable resources allocated to security. "The more financial resources are pumped into the system, the more insecurity seems to escalate, raising serious concerns about the strategic will to confront and end these atrocities," Rafsanjani said.
CISLAC called on all arms and levels of government, political leaders, and stakeholders to step back from the politics of ambition and return to the pressing business of rebuilding the nation. "Nigerians are not statistics or stepping stones to power," Rafsanjani said. "They are citizens, people with dignity, rights, and lives that matter."
The organization urged the government to end the politicization of killings and instead focus on governance rooted in justice and equality. "A killer is a killer and must be treated as such," Rafsanjani said. "We must end this dangerous practice of assigning political value to human life and instead return to governance rooted in justice and equality."
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Crimes