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By Oscar Okhifo
The former President of the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN)Rev. Dr. Felix Omobude has warned that Christians must not take up arms despite growing attacks on their communities, stressing that the Church’s mission is rooted in faith, prayer, and moral authority, not violence. He urged believers to resist retaliation, saying that turning to weapons would only deepen insecurity and undermine the nation’s moral fabric.
Reacting in Benin city, to public concern over repeated attacks on Christian communities, churches and killings in parts of the country, the cleric said the Church cannot abandon its spiritual mandate for militancy, warning that taking up arms would only escalate bloodshed and further destabilise society.
According to him, that would be a very excruciating opposite of the teachings of Jesus Christ.
According to him, while Christians are increasingly being provoked by killings, abductions and destruction of property, the response of the Church must not mirror that of aggressors.
“We will not and cannot advocate for Christians to take up arms. That is not our calling. Christ never instructed His followers to respond to persecution with violence, but to uphold peace, justice and righteousness,” he said.
The former PFN president noted that though the situation was painful and emotionally exhausting for many believers, the identity of the Church must never be sacrificed on the altar of anger or fear.
He added that Christianity thrived historically under persecution not through armed resistance but through steadfast faith, prayer and advocacy, stressing that weapons would not solve spiritual and societal problems.
He, however, acknowledged the constitutional right of Nigerians to protect themselves, stating that self-defence within the confines of the law remained legitimate.
He however differentiated lawful personal protection from organized religious militancy, which he described as dangerous and counterproductive.
“Defending oneself when attacked is not the same as launching a religious war. When faith becomes weaponized, everyone loses,” he said.
The cleric further faulted repeated failure of government to protect lives and property, urging authorities to urgently rise to their responsibility and restore public confidence in national security architecture.
“The burden of security is not on the Church; it is on the government. Nigerians should not be abandoned to criminals while leaders engage in politics,” he added.
Calling on pastors and Christian leaders to avoid inflammatory rhetoric, he urged the clergy to continue preaching peace while demanding justice through lawful channels.
He also cautioned that any attempt to mobilize Christians for violent confrontation would not only contradict biblical teachings but also expose vulnerable worshippers to greater danger.
The former PFN president appealed to Christians across the country to remain calm, vigilant and prayerful, while working with communities and security agencies to provide intelligence and support for crime prevention.
He concluded by stressing that moral authority and unity, not weapons, remained the Church’s most potent tools in confronting evil.
“Light does not overcome darkness with bullets, but with truth. The Church must remain the conscience of the nation, not another armed group,” he said.