The Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) has
accused Godfrey Onah, Catholic bishop of Nsukka, of provoking the recent attack
on Muslims in the local government area.
In a petition to Mohammed Adamu, inspector-general of police
(IGP), the NSCIA alleged that the cleric delivered a sermon “full of lies and
fallacies” which prompted residents in Nsukka to attack Muslims.
NigerianEye had reported how residents in the town razed two
mosques and destroyed business places in what was said to be a reprisal.
Witnesses had narrated how a tricyclist was stabbed during a
heated argument with a woman he had conveyed to her shop.
In the petition signed by Salisu Shehu, NSCIA deputy
secretary general, the Islamic council
blamed the bishop for the attack which it said led to the deaths of an
unspecified number of Muslims.
It said it had earlier raised an alarm over reported attacks
on Muslims in various parts of the south-east and south-south.
“On Saturday, 31 October, 2020, as a result of a hateful and
inciteful sermon, full of lies and fallacies, delivered by one Bishop, Reverend
Father Godfrey Igwebuike Onah, some Christians unleashed violent and virulent
attack on Muslims in Nsukka and burnt their Mosques,” the petition read.
“We are yet to confirm the number of casualties. In the
sermon attached, it was clear that the Bishop instigated the worshippers
against Mosques and Muslims.
“The recurrence of these kinds of incessant arson and
massacre of Muslims in the South-East and South-South if left unchecked could
surely ignite reprisals in other parts of the country, especially the North. It
has therefore become imperatively urgent to proactively bring an end to these
criminality.
“In view of the above, the Nigerian Supreme Council for
Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), on behalf of the entire Nigerian Muslim Ummah hereby
reiterates our call on you Sir, to rise up to this challenge and protect the
lives and property of Muslims in the South-East and South-South as bonafide
citizens of Nigeria who should live peacefully in any part of the Country.
“Specifically, we also implore you to as a matter of urgency
interrogate Reverend Father Godfrey Igwebuike Onah on his hate speech,
inciteful sermon of lies fabricated to provoke hatred for the Muslims.”
The NSCIA is proving to be a matured organisation pursuing its grievances in a very matured and orderly manner. CAN should take a cue.
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