Islamic Council Warn The Public To Stop Giving Ethnic, Religious Colouration To Banditry, Kidnaping
Attempts to depict Nigerian Muslims as the perpetrators of kidnapping, banditry, and other violent crimes are untrue and deceptive, according to the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), which claims that doing so is unjust to the vast majority of peace-loving Muslims who support national development in all spheres.
“Recent efforts by some individuals and groups to associate Islam and Muslims with criminal activities were unjust and dangerous to national unity,” the council said in a statement signed by its spokesperson, Abbas Jimoh, in honor of Nigeria’s Democracy Day.
The statement recalled the recent kidnapping incident in Oyo State’s Orire Local Government Area and the attempts to connect the crime to a specific ethnic or religious group.
It clarified that criminal acts should not be colored by a person’s ethnicity or religion and that suspects should be identified and prosecuted based on evidence rather than identity.
The statement also expressed dismay at the nation’s wider security issues, including kidnapping, banditry, and terrorism, which have persisted in taking lives, uprooting communities, and impeding progress.
The NSCIA condemned all forms of violence, expressed sympathy for victims and their families impacted by criminal activity, and advised those involved to stop engaging in such illegal activity.
It urged opinion leaders and the media to report responsibly and steer clear of stories that could exacerbate mistrust or division among Nigerians.
The council praised the federal government’s and security agencies’ efforts to combat insecurity and called for increased collaboration to bring about peace.
