Pastor Tunde Bakare, the serving overseer of the Citadel Global Community Church, has publicly urged the Federal Government to implement emergency measures to combat escalating terrorism. He specifically called for the temporary suspension of all non-essential mass gatherings in vulnerable areas nationwide, advocating that these zones be placed under intensified emergency patrols.

Bakare made his urgent plea during a “State of the Nation” news conference titled “The Darkness before Dawn,” held at his church in Lagos on Sunday. He acknowledged that such measures might appear to be a militarization of affected communities, but insisted they remain essential and temporary steps required to neutralize terrorism and prevent further mass kidnappings in Nigeria.

The cleric lamented that terrorist groups have visibly intensified their attacks on Nigerian citizens since the U.S. President, Donald Trump, redesignated Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern (CPC). The U.S. decision was based on allegations of government-tolerated killing of Christians.

Bakare provided a chilling timeline of recent attacks, noting that within a single week, troops were ambushed and some killed. Additionally, dozens of secondary school students were abducted in Kebbi State, and a church in Kwara State was attacked, with worshippers kidnapped and some killed. Hundreds of students from St Mary’s Catholic School in Papiri town, Niger State, were also abducted.