Protect Nigerians from attacks, nscia tells FG

Following the worsening spate of violence in the country, the Nigeria Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs on Friday said the Federal Government should stop shying away from its responsibility of protecting Nigerians.

NSCIA’s newly appointed Secretary-General, Prof. Ishaq Oloyede, said this while speaking with newsmen after he observed the Jumat service at the Abeokuta Central Mosque, Kobiti.

Oloyede, who succeeded the late Dr. Lateef Adegbite, said the security of lives and property remained the primary responsibility of the government, adding that the Federal Government should live up to its responsibility to the citizens.

The former Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ilorin expressed concern over the worsening insecurity in the country and decried alleged attempts by the government to abdicate its responsibility of identifying criminals.

He said, “For one reason or the other, some people have decided to take up arms against the state. We should cooperate with the government in solving it. But government should not transfer its responsibility to us. We do not take security votes; some people are in control of the votes for security.

“Why should the responsibility of protecting citizen, identifying criminals among us be transferred to innocent citizens? I believe that we are doing our best by cooperating with the government and government should be up and doing in discharging its own basic responsibility. We are victims. There is nothing like guilty by association because we are Muslims.”

The NSCIA Secretary-General also exonerated Muslims from terrorist activities in the country, stressing that the violence perpetrtated by Boko Haram members negated the teachings of Islam.

Oloyede said though the President Goodluck Jonathan-led administration had yet to offer amnesty to the sect members, it should not relent in exploring the dialogue option.

He said, “The right thing to do is for us to continue working towards a goal of peaceful dialogue. I’m happy to note yesterday that the Minister for Special Duties, acting as the chairman of the new committee, has started working.”