‘Influential Pastors, Nigerians’ lifestyles breeding insecurity’

By Emma Elekwa, Onitsha

A security expert, Rev. Nze Emmanuel has expressed worry over display of flamboyant and excessive lifestyles by the Nigerian citizenry.

He blamed the increasing cases of insecurity in the country on such abnormal lifestyles, warning those involved to desist for their own interest.

Nze spoke Saturday in Onitsha, Anambra state while delivering a paper on “Terrorism, Banditry and Insecurity Challenges in Nigeria, The Way Out”, during a one-day Citizens Summit by the National Association of Sea Dogs, Onitsha chapter.

Referring particularly to certain Pentecostal preachers who flagrantly displayed affluence before their impoverished congregations, Nze regretted that they were only exposing themselves to security risks.

He said, “Before now, Pastors were known for their simplicity and humble disposition. But the case is no longer the same especially with the advent of Pentecostalism in Nigeria.

“When a pastor always tells his congregation how much dollars his shoes and wrist watch cost, what do you expect from them?

“Ordinary seeing wealthy people spraying money recklessly at functions is enough temptation for youths in this country not only to go after them, but to take up arms.”

Nze, the Commander, Safety Chapol also cautioned those who were in the habit of allowing artisans access to work in their homes in their absence to desist from such, saying they were only empowering them for future robbery.

“Most of the robbery cases in homes and offices are traceable to informants who had earlier visited such facilities at one time or the other,” he argued.

He further identified distrust among the citizens occasioned by government’s seeming bias in favour of the Fulanis and its failure to abide by the ‘government continuum’ philosophy as other causes of insecurity.

He added, “The philosophy of our founding fathers as captured in the former national anthem, “though tribes and tongues may differ, in brotherhood we stand”, is now, “since tribes and tongues differ, in enmity we stand.

“Successive governments have exhibited a penchant to do away with projects of their predecessors while in office.”

The cleric underscored the place of crime prevention partnership as one sure way to guaranteeing a secured society.

“The new approach of community and multi sectoral participation in crime prevention and control is borne out of the necessity of ensuring a safe and better society.

Earlier, President National Association of SeaDogs Onitsha Chapter, Mr Ikem Mazeli, said the event was targeted towards the achievement of a just and egalitarian society.