By Dr. Betty Anyanwu-Akeredolu

The image of a pastor holding an AK-47 captures, in the starkest way, the tragic reality of today’s Nigeria, where places of worship have become targets and where innocent Christians continue to fall victim to senseless killings. It is a painful symbol of a nation failing in its most basic duty: securing the lives of its citizens.

For too long, people have been told to rely solely on faith for protection. But faith without safety is a hollow promise. When a system cannot defend its citizens, when security agencies are overwhelmed or compromised, people naturally seek ways to protect themselves. This moment forces us to confront an uncomfortable truth: no divine intervention can replace the responsibility of a state to safeguard human life.

What we are witnessing is not a crisis of religion, but a crisis of governance. Nigerians deserve a country where they can worship without fear, send their children to school without anxiety, and live their daily lives without the shadow of violence.

Until that is achieved, communities must be empowered to defend themselves within the law, and the government must take urgent, practical steps to restore trust and safety. Survival should never depend on choosing between prayer and protection, but right now, Nigerians are being pushed into that corner.