Senate President Godswill Akpabio has renewed calls for Nigerians to pray and demand accountability, insisting that individuals and groups sponsoring terrorism and violent crimes must be exposed and brought to justice.
Akpabio’s Democracy Day Message
Speaking Sunday, June 8, 2026 at an interdenominational church service at the National Christian Centre, Abuja to mark Democracy Day, Akpabio linked insecurity to spiritual warfare and national resilience.
The service, themed “God of Hope, Actualise Our Dreams,” gathered top government officials, clergy and citizens to reflect on 27 years of uninterrupted democratic rule amid kidnappings, killings and nationwide instability.
Drawing from his time as Akwa Ibom governor about 19 years ago, Akpabio said he introduced monthly prayer sessions to tackle militancy, kidnapping and killings.
“When I had the opportunity to serve as governor… I started monthly prayer. I would say, what if we were not praying? Today I want you to ask the same question, the things happening around us, what if we were not praying”.
He urged Nigerians not to give up hope: “We must continue praying so that the evil doers and their sponsors shall be exposed in Jesus Name. If they are in government, they shall be exposed. If they are outside government, they shall be exposed… Those sponsoring it, whether it is politically motivated or not, may they never have peace until they are defeated”.
Context: Oyo Abductions and National Pressure
Akpabio’s remarks come as Nigeria grapples with fresh abductions, including the May 15 attack on three schools in Oriire LGA, Oyo State where 39 pupils and 7 teachers were taken. Terrorists have demanded release of Ansaru commanders, ₦1bn ransom, Hilux vehicles and Sharia law implementation for the captives.
The Senate President’s call echoes growing demands from lawmakers, civil groups and citizens for the federal government to name and prosecute terrorism financiers. The House of Representatives recently urged the executive to “urgently prioritise the unmasking and prosecution of terrorism and banditry sponsors,” arguing that shielding financiers only emboldens criminal networks.
PENGASSAN and other unions have also asked: “We have heard several times when they tell us that they know the sponsors… Why haven’t you named the sponsors? Why haven’t you exposed the sponsors? Why haven’t you gone after them?”.
“Organised and Orchestrated Insecurity”
This isn’t Akpabio’s first warning. At the APC National Caucus meeting earlier in 2026, he lamented “organised and orchestrated insecurity” in Nigeria, saying unnamed enemies were deliberately tormenting the country through terrorism, banditry and insurgency.
He also backed closed-door engagement with security agencies over public probes, saying legislative scrutiny at this time could “undermine the morale of troops engaged in counter-terrorism and anti-banditry operations”.
The Bigger Question
Despite security agencies claiming they have intelligence on financiers, only about 30 terror financiers are on Nigeria’s official sanctions list – mostly BDC operators, with no known politicians listed. Analysts say the legal process exists through the Nigeria Sanctions Committee, but political will to unmask powerful sponsors remains the missing piece.
For Akpabio, the answer starts with prayer and unity, then exposure and accountability: “Nigeria must continue to seek divine intervention to confront those behind insecurity… individuals sponsoring violence—whether inside or outside government—must be exposed and held accountable
*Bottom line*: With schools shut, teachers protesting, and parents begging for their children’s release, Akpabio’s message reflects national frustration. Nigerians are no longer just asking for rescue operations – they’re demanding the names behind the bloodshed.Want this broken down into a 3-point explainer on “who funds terrorism in Nigeria” or a WhatsApp broadcast version?
Senate President Godswill Akpabio has renewed calls for Nigerians to pray and demand accountability, insisting that individuals and groups sponsoring terrorism and violent crimes must be exposed and brought to justice.
Akpabio’s Democracy Day Message
Speaking Sunday, June 8, 2026 at an interdenominational church service at the National Christian Centre, Abuja to mark Democracy Day, Akpabio linked insecurity to spiritual warfare and national resilience.
The service, themed “God of Hope, Actualise Our Dreams,” gathered top government officials, clergy and citizens to reflect on 27 years of uninterrupted democratic rule amid kidnappings, killings and nationwide instability.
Drawing from his time as Akwa Ibom governor about 19 years ago, Akpabio said he introduced monthly prayer sessions to tackle militancy, kidnapping and killings.
“When I had the opportunity to serve as governor… I started monthly prayer. I would say, what if we were not praying? Today I want you to ask the same question, the things happening around us, what if we were not praying”.
He urged Nigerians not to give up hope: “We must continue praying so that the evil doers and their sponsors shall be exposed in Jesus Name. If they are in government, they shall be exposed. If they are outside government, they shall be exposed… Those sponsoring it, whether it is politically motivated or not, may they never have peace until they are defeated”.
Context: Oyo Abductions and National Pressure
Akpabio’s remarks come as Nigeria grapples with fresh abductions, including the May 15 attack on three schools in Oriire LGA, Oyo State where 39 pupils and 7 teachers were taken. Terrorists have demanded release of Ansaru commanders, ₦1bn ransom, Hilux vehicles and Sharia law implementation for the captives.
The Senate President’s call echoes growing demands from lawmakers, civil groups and citizens for the federal government to name and prosecute terrorism financiers. The House of Representatives recently urged the executive to “urgently prioritise the unmasking and prosecution of terrorism and banditry sponsors,” arguing that shielding financiers only emboldens criminal networks. 1b98
PENGASSAN and other unions have also asked: “We have heard several times when they tell us that they know the sponsors… Why haven’t you named the sponsors? Why haven’t you exposed the sponsors? Why haven’t you gone after them?”. cb29
“Organised and Orchestrated Insecurity”
This isn’t Akpabio’s first warning. At the APC National Caucus meeting earlier in 2026, he lamented “organised and orchestrated insecurity” in Nigeria, saying unnamed enemies were deliberately tormenting the country through terrorism, banditry and insurgency. f6a7
He also backed closed-door engagement with security agencies over public probes, saying legislative scrutiny at this time could “undermine the morale of troops engaged in counter-terrorism and anti-banditry operations”. 620b
The Bigger Question
Despite security agencies claiming they have intelligence on financiers, only about 30 terror financiers are on Nigeria’s official sanctions list – mostly BDC operators, with no known politicians listed. Analysts say the legal process exists through the Nigeria Sanctions Committee, but political will to unmask powerful sponsors remains the missing piece. ac32
For Akpabio, the answer starts with prayer and unity, then exposure and accountability: “Nigeria must continue to seek divine intervention to confront those behind insecurity… individuals sponsoring violence—whether inside or outside government—must be exposed and held accountable
*Bottom line*: With schools shut, teachers protesting, and parents begging for their children’s release, Akpabio’s message reflects national frustration. Nigerians are no longer just asking for rescue operations – they’re demanding the names behind the bloodshed.
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