- They’re all ‘signs of end time’, says cleric
The spate of killings, abductions and other criminal activities worsened as most Muslims and Christians engaged in spiritual fasting and prayers, findings by The Point have revealed.
Some religious leaders had at the commencement of the fasting exercise, explained that it would be a time where the majority of citizens would seek forgiveness from God and repent of their wrongdoings.
The Chief Imam of University of Lagos Muslim Community, Prof. Ismail Musa, had at the beginning of Ramadan, said that the month is unique for many reasons, explaining that it is the month of mercy because Allah closed the Gates of Hell in the month and instructed angels to open the Gates of Heaven. As a result of this, he stated that all the devils are chained and the effect is a drastic reduction of crime in the society.
Ramadan, the ninth month in the Islamic calendar, is the time of spiritual reflection and self-improvement, and Muslims all over the world fast from dawn till sunset. The month is regarded by Muslims as the best month of the year, and the month of earning multiple rewards and forgiveness from the Almighty.
Fasting in the month of Ramadan is one of the five known pillars of Islam. Ramadan 2025 started in the evening of February 28 after the sighting of the moon and confirmation by the office of the President-General of Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs, Sultan Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar.
About six days after Muslims started fasting from dawn to dusk, Christians, exactly on Wednesday, March 5, started their 2025 Lenten season.
The Bishop, Catholic Diocese of Osogbo, had in his Lenten message to Nigeria called for true repentance from sins and criminal conducts, believing that the 40 days of fasting, abstinence and almsgiving would make citizens to have a change of mindset towards criminalities and other unholy conducts.
However, investigations by The Point revealed that crimes and criminalities including banditry, abductions and fatal domestic violence almost doubled as both religious adherents participated in the spiritual exercise.
Even though there is no official record as to how many persons were killed, abducted and attacked from February 28 till date, reports by media houses in the country and monitored by The Point, revealed that there was no day without tragic news of maiming across the country.
Lent is still ongoing and is expected to end on Thursday, April 17 2025.
Over a hundred separate reports of killings, abductions and attacks were recorded in the period monitored by The Point.
Not long after Ramadan started, a police officer allegedly went on a shooting spree while drunk, killing a resident of Niger State.
Commissioner of Police in the state, Shuwala Danmamman, directed the Divisional Police Officer of Maitumbi to fish out the officer responsible for the tragic incident.
The officer, attached to the Maitumbi Police Station, was said to have consumed excessive alcohol before picking up his rifle and firing indiscriminately.
In the process, he shot and killed a resident identified simply as Sani in the Angwan-Kaje area of Chanchaga Local Government Area.
According to witnesses, the officer also attempted to shoot another resident, a tea seller known as Mai Shayi, who managed to escape.
Confirming the incident, the spokesman for the Niger State Police Command, Wasiu Abiodun, said the Commissioner of Police has ordered a full-scale investigation and assured that the officer involved would be brought to justice.
No fewer than four soldiers were reportedly killed and unspecified numbers wounded when terrorists of the Islamic State of West African Province attacked a military base in Damboa local government area of Borno State.
It was gathered that terrorists rode on motorcycles and stormed the remote village of Warja between Sabon Gari in Damboa local government area in the evening of Sunday, killing the soldiers and setting ablaze military hardware.
A security source said the terrorists overran the formation and burnt down armoury and other operational vehicles.
Three states including Benue, Nasarawa and Ondo were locked in rage and protests over the killing of no fewer than 28 persons by herdsmen and bandits.
A pregnant woman was among 20 persons killed during a farmers/herders’ clash that left scores wounded, houses, motorcycles, and a police operational vehicle set ablaze in Nasarawa LGA of Nasarawa State.
Similarly, members of terrorist group, Lakuwrawa reportedly killed 13 in Kebbi village and destroyed villages.
A violent cult clash between members of the Vikings Confraternity and Black Axe has claimed at least two lives and left several others seriously injured in the Ughelli area of Delta State where majority of residents are said to be Christians.
The clash reportedly started in Ozoro, the headquarters of Isoko North Local Government Area, before escalating to Ughelli, resulting in deadly confrontations between the rival groups.
Many were shocked when a 34-year-old Catholic Church member, Taledo Damiel, was arrested by the Police for allegedly masterminding the abduction of two priests for a N10 million ransom in Adamawa State.
In a statement, the police confirmed that Damiel was arrested in connection with the kidnapping of Rev. Fathers Matthew David Dusami and Abraham Samman of the Adamawa and Taraba dioceses, respectively. The suspect was said to have been staying with the clerics for over ten years and had been playing musical instruments for the church before the act.
A pastor of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Victor Okoh, allegedly murdered his wife, Victoria Okoh, over suspicions of infidelity during the spiritual season of Lent.
The 42-year-old suspect was arrested by the Akwa Ibom State Police Command after neighbors raised an alarm over the horrific scene. Police officers who arrived at their residence around 5:20 am found the mutilated body of 38-year-old Victoria Okoh lying in front of their home.
Several other reports indicated that over 120 persons were killed during the holy month as others were abducted and injured.
It was terrible that the attackers did not hold sacred the spiritual activities. A businessman identified as Ismaila Awoyinka was ambushed and shot dead by some yet-to-be identified gunmen after performing the Taraweeh prayer, usually held after each day of Ramadan fasting in Ore, Odigbo Local Government Area of Ondo State.
Also, it was revealed that sacred prayer objects were desecrated during the holy period following the seizure of illicit consignments of cocaine, tramadol, loud, molly and others concealed in prayer beads meant for the United States, Saudi Arabia, Italy, Poland, and United Arab Emirates at the Lagos airport by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency.
Reacting, a cleric, Samuel Adetunbi expressed worry at the rate of illegal acts that greeted the fasting season, saying they were all “signs of end time.”
He said, “Recent events are disturbing to say the least and I feel religious leaders should wake up to their responsibilities of ensuring that their worshippers and adherents actually experience spiritual rejuvenation and imbibe in virtuous deeds.”
