Ramadan: Intensify fight against insecurity, Owo Chief Imam urges Tinubu

The Chief Imam of Owo, in Owo local government area of Ondo, Sheikh Yunus Anola, on Sunday, called on Bola Ahmed Tinubu to intensify efforts at tackling the persistent security challenges confronting the country, stressing that Nigerians urgently need to feel safer in their communities.

Anola made the call during the 2026 Special Ramadan Programme and Iftar held in Okeagbe, Akoko North-West Local Government Area of Ondo State, an event hosted by the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo.

The Islamic cleric noted that insecurity remains one of the most pressing concerns facing the nation, urging the Federal Government to strengthen its response through improved intelligence gathering, increased deployment of security personnel, and greater investment in modern security equipment.

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According to him, decisive and coordinated security strategies would not only help curb criminal activities but also restore public confidence in the country’s security architecture and create a more stable environment for economic and social development.

The cleric also commended Tunji-Ojo for organising the Ramadan gathering, describing the initiative as a thoughtful gesture that promotes unity, spiritual reflection, and engagement between leaders and the people during the holy month of Ramadan.

He urged political leaders to continue to support initiatives that encourage peace, tolerance, and communal harmony.

Delivering a lecture titled “Islam and Humanity,” Anola emphasised the importance of unity and peaceful coexistence among people.

He said, “Humanity begins with family ties and blood relations, which should be a priority for every human being, whether from Nigeria or elsewhere.

“We should remember that we all originate from a single source, Almighty God, who has given us guidelines on what to do and what to avoid in order to ensure peaceful coexistence.”

The Islamic scholar also stressed the need for greater global respect for the sanctity of human life, warning that actions and policies that undermine peace, justice, and human dignity often fuel conflicts and instability across societies.

Sheikh Anola urged leaders at all levels to prioritise justice, fairness, and compassion in governance, noting that sustainable peace can only thrive where human life is valued and protected.

He added that religious and political leaders share a responsibility to promote tolerance, mutual respect, and dialogue as essential tools for preventing violence and strengthening peaceful coexistence.

“For instance, the so-called United Nations has had its aims and objectives defeated. There is no peace in the world. Where then is the United Nations?” he asked.

He said, “If any country can move against another at any time, it shows that humanity must be properly recognised so that we do not lose lives as if they were tissue paper.

“Life is very precious. Blood ties must be protected and there must be a level playing ground for everyone to ensure social justice and preserve our shared humanity.”

Earlier, the Chairman of the occasion, a former Speaker of the Ondo State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Taofiq Abdulsalam commended Tinubu for his economic reforms, saying the policies were already yielding positive outcomes.

Abdulsalam, who is a member of the Code of Conduct Bureau representing the South-West, also praised Tunji-Ojo for his performance as Minister of the Interior.

“Without mincing words, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has tried his best. He is making efforts to improve the situation in the country,” he said.

“If you look at what he has done over the past three years, you will see that he has performed well. Our minister from Ondo State, Dr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, has also made us proud of his performance.”

The Chief Imam of Akureland, Sheikh Abdulhakeem Yayi Akorede, highlighted the spiritual lessons of Ramadan, noting that the period encourages Muslims to draw closer to Allah and promote peace.

He urged Muslims to embrace unity and continue to pray for the country and its leaders and said, “we pray that Almighty God will continue to guide President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. I urge Muslims to live in peace, embrace unity, and show love to their neighbours.”