Senate President Godswill Akpabio has revealed that he travelled to Rome, Italy, to pray for Nigeria and seek God’s intervention in the country’s fight against insecurity, banditry and terrorism.
Akpabio described the trip as a “slight pilgrimage” and spiritual journey during which he prayed for President Bola Tinubu, Vice President Kashim Shettima, himself, members of the National Assembly and the Federal Executive Council.
Speaking in a viral video seen by INTELNEWSNG, Akpabio explained that he went to Rome, the centre of the Catholic Church, to offer prayers for the country.
“Well, I had to go to Italy and, you know, Rome is the capital of the Catholic Church and the world’s capital when it comes to Christianity,” Akpabio said.
He said he also visited Saint Padre Pio Mazzolio, where he offered prayers for Nigeria and its leaders.
“And from there I touched Saint Padre Pio Mazzolio and I did supplications.
“I prayed not just for the president, not just for myself, the vice president and all members of the Senate and National Assembly and the Federal Executive Council.
“I prayed for Nigeria as a whole and I also prayed against insecurity that God should free us from insecurity.”
“I prayed against banditry. I prayed against terrorism,” Akpabio added.
The Senate President said his decision was based on his Christian faith and his belief that God’s protection was important in the country’s efforts to tackle insecurity.
“And it might look funny but it’s the truth because in our own religion, we believe that unless God protects the house, the watchmen watch in vain,” he said.
Explaining further, Akpabio said the trip was a deliberate spiritual effort to seek divine help for Nigeria.
“And so I decided to take this slight pilgrimage, a spiritual journey to pray for Nigeria. I believe strongly,” he added.
His comments came as Nigeria continues to face security problems in different parts of the country, including killings, kidnappings, bandit attacks and terrorism.
The situation remains serious in the North, where Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) continue to operate. Armed banditry has also spread across parts of the Northwest and other areas.
The Armed Conflict Location & Event Data (ACLED) has also identified insecurity linked to cult groups, political militias and farmer-herder conflicts.
Human Rights Watch, in its 2026 World Report, said insecurity remained widespread in Nigeria in 2025. It cited deadly attacks in Borno State, killings and kidnappings in the Northwest and continuing communal violence in the Northcentral region.
Data from ACLED cited by the European Union Agency for Asylum recorded 8,654 security incidents in Nigeria between January 2024 and December 2025. Of these, 4,829 were classified as violence against civilians, with Borno, Katsina and Zamfara recording the highest numbers.
The security situation has continued into 2026.
In August, gunmen attacked communities in Niger State, with residents reporting that hundreds of women, children and elderly people were kidnapped.
