Renowned human rights activist and legal practitioner, Inibehe Effiong, has publicly admonished Apostle Femi Lazarus, senior pastor of the Sphere of Light Gospel Church in Ikeja, Lagos State, over his controversial remarks on the ongoing Christian killings in Nigeria. Effiong’s message, shared on his official X handle on Sunday, November 9, 2025, urged the clergyman to remain silent if he cannot speak out against the violence.
The controversy erupted after Lazarus, who had largely remained silent on the issue, made a viral statement downplaying reports of Christian killings in Nigeria. In his comments, the senior pastor suggested that the government was taking the right steps to address security challenges, a position that quickly drew criticism across social media and public discourse.
Effiong’s response was swift and firm. He emphasized that religious leaders, who hold significant influence over their congregations and society at large, have a moral obligation to condemn violence and advocate for justice.
“If you cannot condemn the mass killings, keep quiet,” Effiong tweeted, urging Lazarus to refrain from statements that could appear to legitimize or minimize the atrocities.
The lawyer highlighted that silence or equivocation by influential figures in moments of national crisis can inadvertently embolden perpetrators and deepen the suffering of victims. Effiong pointed out that Christian communities across several states in Nigeria have been disproportionately affected by targeted attacks from armed groups, and the moral responsibility to speak against such violence is non-negotiable.
Effiong also criticized the broader trend of muted responses from some religious leaders, arguing that their hesitance to address mass killings publicly undermines collective advocacy for security, justice, and government accountability.
“When voices that can rally attention and mobilize society choose silence over action, it sends the wrong signal to both the victims and the perpetrators,” he said.
The reaction to Lazarus’ statement has sparked debates on social media about the role of religious leaders in addressing national crises. While some defended the pastor, asserting that his position was aimed at encouraging calm and trust in government interventions, critics argue that failing to explicitly condemn violence risks normalizing it.
Human rights advocates have increasingly called on faith leaders to use their platforms to raise awareness and pressure authorities to take concrete action against attackers.
Effiong’s intervention is part of a broader push for accountability, particularly in light of the escalating violence affecting Christian communities in states like Benue, Kaduna, and Plateau, where massacres by armed groups have reportedly intensified in recent years.
Inibehe Effiong concluded his message with a stern warning, urging religious figures to prioritize moral responsibility over cautious commentary. “Silence in the face of injustice is complicity,” he wrote. “Leaders must speak for those whose voices are silenced by violence.” he said.
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