The Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN) on Sunday concluded a three-day national fasting and prayer program for the country, issuing a strongly worded statement lamenting the escalating violence, banditry, and disregard for human life that has turned parts of Nigeria into “daily killing fields.”
In a speech delivered at the end of the program, which coincided with Global Pentecost Day, PFN National President, Bishop Francis Wale Oke, expressed deep burden over the nation’s worsening security crisis and what he described as the government’s apparent lack of political will to tackle it decisively.
“We have lost our sense of value for human life and its sanctity,” Bishop Oke stated. “The level of banditry, kidnapping, violence, insecurity and savage killings all across the Nigerian landscape has risen to an intolerable height.”
The PFN highlighted several unresolved high-profile cases, including the continued captivity of several Chibok schoolgirls years after their abduction by Boko Haram, and the prolonged detention of Leah Sharibu, who remains in captivity for refusing to renounce her Christian faith. The fellowship also referenced the killing of student Deborah Samuel in Sokoto, who was burnt to death by a mob for allegedly blaspheming, noting that her killers faced no justice.
The statement painted a grim picture of violence spreading across multiple states, naming Taraba, Plateau, Benue, Southern Kaduna, Edo, Kogi, Ondo, Kwara, Borno, Niger, Sokoto, Kaduna, and recently Oyo as hotspots. In Oyo State, the abduction of teachers and students led to the gruesome beheading of Mr. Michael Oyedokun and the shooting to death of another teacher.
Bishop Oke particularly criticized the unchecked activities of bandits, murderous herdsmen, and Boko Haram insurgents, accusing the government of misplaced priorities.
“Nigerians are sick and tired of this evil and the apparent misplaced focus on winning elections by all means rather than focusing the full weight of our law and federal might to crush the killers of Nigerians,” he said. He also condemned the rehabilitation and alleged integration of “repentant” Boko Haram members into the security network.
The PFN expressed concern over the killing of Nigerian soldiers, infiltration of the security system, and the broader impacts of the violence, including fractured national unity, investor flight, and brain drain.
Following deliberations by its National Executive Council on May 19, the PFN resolved to engage in spiritual warfare through fasting and prayer while speaking out against the crisis.
The fellowship urged the Federal Government to fulfill its constitutional duty of protecting all citizens regardless of tribe or religion, seek international assistance where necessary, and move beyond “empty promises” to concrete action.
It also called on the Church in Nigeria to:
Stand together in unity against the prevailing evil;
engage in repentance and fervent prayer for divine intervention;
speak with one strong voice to pressure governments at all levels;
defend the faith and churches.
“We have fasted. We have prayed. Now we speak,” Bishop Oke declared.
The statement ended on a note of hope and faith, believing that God would intervene, rescue captives, break cycles of violence, and heal the land.
The three-day national fasting and prayer program ran from Friday, May 22 to Sunday, May 24, 2026.
 on Sunday concluded a three-day national fasting and prayer program for the country, issuing a strongly worded statement lamenting the escalating violence, banditry, and disregard for human life that has turned parts of Nigeria into "daily killing fields."){kind=link}