The Niger State Forum of Imams has condemned the recent burning of the Kontagora headquarters of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, calling for the arrest of the culprits.
The incident happened on Sunday when suspected hoodlums were said to have stormed the church in large numbers and set the church, which was still under construction, ablaze.
Niger State Governor, Umaru Bago, on Monday condemned the burning of the church.
The Director General, Niger State Bureau of Religious Affairs, Umar Abdullahi who is also the Secretary General of the Niger State Imams Forum made this known on Thursday when he led a team of Imams to commiserate with the Niger State chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria CAN Most Rev. Bulus Yohana at the CAN secretariat Minna.
Abdullahi who was represented by the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Religious Affairs, Liman MashaAllah said, “We are one. The enemies of peace just want to cause disaffection among us.
“We are the same from the 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 called on the relevant security agencies to do all they could to apprehend and prosecute the perpetrators so as to serve as deterrent to anyone who wants to foment trouble in the state, especially in Kontagora.
“Islam discourages any form of chaos or disaffection amongst us. Islam does not accept anyone who does not believe in Jesus.
“We call on the security agencies to do all they can to apprehend and prosecutor the perpetrators to serve as a deterrent to anyone who wants to foment trouble in the state,” he said.
In his remarks, the state CAN Chairman who is also the Catholic Bishop of Kontagora Diocese commended the Bureau for sympathising with the Christian community and the Redeemed Christian Church of God over the incident in Kontagora.
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 a cordial relationship among the religious groups saying, “We should take advantage of the relative peace in Kontagora and in the state and work together to put the enemies of peace to shame.