Going by incessant killings and senseless destruction of property sparked by Boko Haram insurgency, especially in the North-eastern part of the country, Governor Ibikunle Amosun of Ogun State has described the nefarious activities of the deadly sect as a big shame to Nigeria.
Amosun, who spoke shortly after the Eid-el-Fitr prayer held at the Egba Muslims’ Prayer Ground at Lantoro, Abeokuta against the nefarious killings and wanton destruction of property, decried the claim by the sect that they were Muslims. He wondered why they had continued their deadly campaign even during the month of Ramadan that is considered holy, if indeed, they were Muslims.
While urging people to focus on developmental programmes that could forge cordial relationship and peace in the country, he said: “It is a big shame that people still indulge in violence even during Ramadan.
“We pray that people should embrace peace, we should not in any way engage in violent acts and we pray very soon, we will see an end to terrorism in Nigeria. This is a season of peace we pray that Almighty Allah will put an end to insurgency in the country because this is what Islam preaches, I enjoin my Muslim brothers to embrace peace.”
The governor also assured Nigerians on the good plans President Muhammadu Buhari has for socio-economic development of the country, adding: “I don’t have any doubt in my mind that President Muhammadu Buhari meant well for Nigeria, all we need is to pray that he achieves the good plans that he has in mind.
“If half of the good plans that he has for Nigeria is achieved, then Nigeria will be very developed. We will now be among the comity of nations that everybody is now looking up to. I have no doubt in my mind that he will succeed.”
Abdul Majid Alli, new police commissioner, noted that the problems which Boko Haram sect poses to national unity and peace were enormous that all Nigerians would have to offer support to conquer since government alone might not be able to offer adequate security for all the citizens, but citizens themselves should be vigilant and inquisitive on security issues.
He said: “I will enjoin people to continue to co-operate with His Excellency (Governor Amosun) to continue to believe in Nigeria Police and again to have the security at the back of their minds. Security, we have been saying that it’s not the job of the government alone; it’s the responsibility of every individual.
“With the present happening in the country, we want Nigerians to be more vigilant, more inquisitive with what they see in their surroundings, if you see anything contrary in your environment or funny, you alert the police and security agencies.”
Earlier, Liadi Orunsolu, chief Imam of Egbaland, who led the Eid prayer, called on the Muslims and Nigerians as at large, to fear Allah and abstain from sins and violence that could truncate peaceful co-existence of men on earth and hereafter, adding that Nigerians should live above ethnicity and division for the country to grow and develop.
RAZAQ AYINLA
