The Catholic Bishop of Yola Diocese, Most Rev. Stephen Mamza Dami, had raised great concerns about the government’s commitment to ending insecurity in Nigeria.
Bishop Dami who made the statement while speaking with journalists after presiding over the closing Mass of the 2026 Yola Diocesan Pastoral Council which held at the Bishop Sheehan Pastoral Centre, Yola, Adamawa State, regretted that the Federal Government has not demonstrated the political will needed to end insecurity in the country.
According to him, “The government must go beyond promises and take decisive action to address the security challenges confronting the nation.”
Catholic Bishop of Yola Diocese, Most Rev. Stephen Mamza Dami, addressing the assembly.
Reacting to the rising cases of killings, kidnappings, banditry and attacks on communities, he maintained that despite repeated assurances by government officials, the country’s security situation has shown little improvement.
On the need to protect lives and livelihoods, the prelate underlined that “The safety of citizens should remain the foremost responsibility of any administration.”
Bishop Dami, who encouraged Nigerians to keep praying for peace in the country, further urged them to support lawful efforts towards restoring security and national unity.
Delegates after the closing Mass of the 2026 Yola Diocesan Pastoral Council.
Worrisome that insecurity has left many Nigerians living in fear and uncertainty, the 56-year-old prelate advised the Federal Government to improve the welfare of security operatives.
To the security agencies, the Bishop recommended an improvement in the areas of intelligence gathering and inter-agency collaboration to effectively tackle criminality and terrorism.
He urged participants to remain “united in Christ and work together for the growth of the Diocese,” despite differences in backgrounds and opinions.
A cross-section of the laity.
Advocatus Africa gathered that the Bishop of Yola also charged delegates to “translate the resolutions of the Council into concrete pastoral action, emphasizing evangelization, charity and responsible stewardship as essential pillars of the Church’s mission.”
Bishop Dami spoke to the press at the sidelines of the 2026 Yola Diocesan Pastoral Council, which saw priests, religious and lay representatives from various parts of the diocese who met to address the challenges facing the Church and society.
Editor’s Note: All photos are courtesy of Yola Diocese.
