The Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN) has called on the Federal Government to take urgent and decisive action against worsening insecurity across the country following a three-day nationwide fasting and prayer programme organised by the Christian body.
The appeal came as church leaders and worshippers intensified concerns over rising cases of banditry, kidnappings and attacks on communities, particularly in northern and central parts of Nigeria.
The prayer exercise, held from May 22 to May 24, 2026, coincided with Global Pentecost Day and culminated in rallies and public prayers led by PFN chapters across the country, including a major procession in Lagos State.
At the Lagos rally, participants marched through parts of the city carrying placards bearing messages such as “Save Nigeria from Terror,” “Enough of Bloodshed,” and “Peace and Security Now.”
Speaking during the event, PFN official Yemi Davies delivered a message on behalf of the organisation’s national president, Bishop Francis Wale Oke, saying the scale of violence and insecurity had reached an alarming level.
“The level of banditry, kidnapping, violence, insecurity and savage killing all across the Nigerian landscape has risen to an intolerable height,” Davies declared during the rally.
He said while the church believed strongly in the power of prayer, government authorities must also take practical and immediate steps to protect lives and property.
The PFN’s renewed warning comes amid fresh outrage over recent attacks in parts of the country, including the abduction of pupils and teachers in Oyo State earlier this month.
Gunmen had reportedly attacked three schools in Oriire Local Government Area on May 15, abducting more than 40 pupils alongside several teachers, an incident that triggered widespread condemnation and renewed concerns over insecurity in schools.
Security challenges have remained one of the biggest tests facing the administration of President Bola Tinubu since assuming office in May 2023.
Despite repeated assurances from security agencies and the Federal Government, incidents involving kidnappings for ransom, attacks on farming communities and violent raids by armed groups have continued across several states.
In recent months, religious bodies, civil society groups and opposition figures have repeatedly demanded stronger security measures and better intelligence coordination to address the crisis.
The PFN stressed that several communities had effectively become unsafe due to persistent attacks by criminal gangs and armed groups.
The Christian organisation also urged Nigerians to continue praying for peace while calling on authorities to match promises with concrete action.
Public reactions to the viral rally footage on social media reflected mixed sentiments.
A TikTok user identified as “nedudyke” questioned the absence of prominent clerics from the rally, asking, “Abeg, where is Pastor E.A. Adeboye in this video? Or is he no longer part of PFN?”
Another user, “abdulazeezbkm31,” wrote, “We also pray for Nigeria,” echoing support for the prayer initiative despite religious differences.
The PFN has consistently raised concerns over insecurity in previous years, frequently urging both spiritual intervention and institutional reforms to tackle the country’s security crisis.
Analysts say the latest mobilisation by the Christian body highlights growing public frustration over the state of security and the increasing pressure on the Federal Government to deliver visible results.
