Daniel Atori, Minna
Few days after hoodlums razed down the Redeemed Christian Church of God, RCCG, Kontagora, the Director General, Niger state Bureau of Religious Affair, Dr. Umar Farooq Abdullahi has called on Christians and Muslims in the state to join hands together to tackle enemies of peace in the state.
He made the call on Thursday when he led a team to commiserate with the Chairman, Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) Niger state chapter, Most Rev. Dr. Bulus Dauwa Yohanna at the State secretariat, Minna.
Dr. Abdullahi who was represented by the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Religious Affairs, Alhaji Liman MashaAllah said “we are one, the enemies of peace just want to cause disaffection amongst us”.
According to the Director General who is also the Secretary General, Niger state Imam’s Forum “we are the same from 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 ugly people amongst us.
“I call on us to join hands together to defeat this common enemy who wants to destabilise the peace we are enjoying in our dear state. Those hoodlums are evildoers and should be put to shame.”
He however called on the relevant security agencies to do all they can to apprehend and prosecutor the perpetrators so as to serve as deterrent to anyone who wants to foment trouble in the state especially in Kontagora.
Furthermore, he said “Islam discourages any form of chaos or disaffection amongst us. Islam does not accept anyone who does not believe in Jesus.”
In his remarks, the state CAN Chairman who is also the Catholic Bishop of Kontagora Diocese commended the Bureau for sympathising with the Christian Association of Nigeria and the Redeemed Christian Church of God over the incident in Kontagora.
Dr. Yohanna who was represented by his Deputy, Rev. Ezekiel Ibrahim said “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 can not move forward or live together”.
He further called for cordial relationship saying “we should take advantage of the relative peace in Kontagora and in the state, work together to put the enemies of peace to shame.
