The Niger State Forum of Imams has strongly condemned the recent arson attack on the Kontagora headquarters of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, demanding that those responsible be apprehended.
According to The PUNCH, the incident occurred on Sunday when suspected hoodlums attacked the church, which was still under construction, and set it ablaze.
Niger State Governor, Umaru Bago, also condemned the church burning on Monday.
On Thursday, the Director General of the Niger State Bureau of Religious Affairs and Secretary General of the Niger State Imams Forum, Umar Abdullahi, led a delegation of Imams to offer their condolences to the Niger State Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria, Most Rev. Bulus Yohana, at the CAN secretariat in Minna.
Abdullahi, represented by Liman MashaAllah, the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Religious Affairs, stated, “We are one. The enemies of peace just want to cause disaffection among us.”
He emphasized the shared heritage among people, saying, “We are the same from the same creator. As Muslims, our religion teaches us to be tolerant and live in peace with everyone. There is no way you will live with good people at all times; there is always the good, the bad, and the ugly people amongst us.”
Abdullahi urged collective action against those who aim to disrupt the state’s peace.
“I call on us to join hands together to defeat this common enemy who wants to destabilize the peace we are enjoying in our dear state. Those hoodlums are evildoers and should be put to shame,” he said.
He also appealed to security agencies to ensure the arrest and prosecution of the perpetrators to deter others from similar actions.
“Islam discourages any form of chaos or disaffection amongst us. Islam does not accept anyone who does not believe in Jesus. We call on the security agencies to do all they can to apprehend and prosecute the perpetrators to serve as a deterrent to anyone who wants to foment trouble in the state,” Abdullahi added.
The state CAN Chairman, Most Rev. Bulus Yohana, who was represented by his Deputy, Rev. Ezekiel Ibrahim, expressed gratitude to the Bureau for their support.
Yohana remarked, “We take it in good faith because we believe hoodlums are always there to cause chaos. The truth is, if there is chaos or crisis, we cannot move forward or live together.”
He further advocated for a harmonious relationship between religious groups, stating, “We should take advantage of the relative peace in Kontagora and in the state and work together to put the enemies of peace to shame.”
