Reactions trail DSS alarm over plot to incite ethnoreligious violence

NSCIA, CAN task DSS on security

The Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) and the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) have reacted to the warning issued by the Department of State Services (DSS) of plots by some people and groups to start ethno-religious violence in Sokoto, Kano, Kaduna, Plateau, Rivers, Oyo, Lagos state and those in the South East.

This is coming after the DSS spokesperson, Dr Peter Afunanya in a statement titled ‘DSS reiterates call against violence.’ said some people have continued to resort to statements, incitement, carelessness and divisions and to pitch citizens against each other in order to seemingly ignite the embers of tribal and religious discord.

NSCIA in a statement issued yesterday by its spokesperson, Ibrahim Selemi appealed to faceless persons planning to subvert public peace and order in the country to sheath their swords advocating religious beliefs of all and peaceful coexistence in the country.

The Nigerian apex Islamic body stated that “On our part, we shall continue to advocate for respect for the religious beliefs of all and peaceful coexistence in Nigeria. We sincerely believe that we are greater together.” T hey charged the security agencies, particularly the DSS, to fish out the enemies of the state and deal with them according to the law. This is because it is only when criminal elements are punished that we can effectively give potency to deterrence

“The Council will like to use this medium to applaud the majority of Nigerians for their tenacity in the defence of the unity and diversity of the country. The statement added.

On the part of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) said terrorists, bandits, kidnappers and other criminals are not invincible and until they are apprehended and successfully prosecuted, people will no longer have respect for those who are in charge of security.”

Special assistant, media and communications of CAN, Pastor Adebayo Oladeji, said whenever the DSS raises the alarm over the security of the country, they should be taken seriously because their primary responsibility includes but not limited to intelligence gathering.

Recalling that the agency had raised a similar alarm recently, the association challenged the secret police to name the suspects arrested, detained and arraigned so far.

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The statement reads in part: “Whenever the Department of State Security (DSS) raises any alarm over the security of the country, ordinarily, one should take them seriously because of the fact that their primary responsibility includes but not limited to intelligence gathering. We recall that the agency raised a similar alarm recently.

But how many suspects have been arrested, detained and arraigned over the last ones? “All the killings in the country have been happening without bringing those responsible to book. Are they not aware? People are being kidnapped on the highways and in their residences without any arrest. We wonder why? “Those who are shedding the innocent blood and those who are kidnapping for ransom are they spirits?”

The CAN, however, called on those who are responsible for the security of lives and property of the people to wake up to their constitutional responsibilities.