Religious intolerance, fanatism, others responsible for insecurity in Nigeria — Bishop Kukah

Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, Bishop Mathew Kukah, has identified religious tolerance, fanaticism, and injustice as some of the factors responsible for insecurity in the country.

Kukah stated this on Tuesday during the high-level town hall meeting organised by the Kukah Centre in collaboration with Global Right, a Non-Governmental Organisations, to help in promoting peace and security in North Western Nigeria.

Speaking at the event, he said the meeting became necessary looking at the recent happening in the region.

He further explained that sectionalism, fanaticism, injustice, and religious intolerance are responsible for insecurity in the country.

“You know most of this problem at times is as a result of proper understanding of our religion, when we are dealing with ourselves we should know we are dealing with Nigerians, not religion,” he stated.

The cleric noted that one cannot fight for God stressing that we shouldn’t quarrel on how we worship God.

He maintained that governments have a role to play not only by giving money but by providing effective communication in building dialogue.

He further urged stakeholders at the meeting to come together to form common front in curbing the menace saying insecurity know no religion.

On his part the Governor of Sokoto state Dr Ahmed Aliyu represented by the permanent secretary ministry of religious affairs, Alhaji Abubakar Toronkawa said his administration has made deliberate efforts in promoting peace in the state.

He reiterated that youth and women empowerment, job creation and frequent security meeting is part of the efforts put in place by his administration to tackle insecurity.

He further explained that his administration would support any initiative gear toward in promoting peace and social development.

Also speaking the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, represented by Sa’in of Kilgori Dr Muhammad Jabbi Kilgori thanked Kukah Centre and Global Right for organizing the meeting.

The monarch explained that bad governance, injustice, and inequality are some factors contributing to insecurity.

He charged those in authority to be fair in dealing with their subjects, saying they would give an account of their stewardship after leaving this world.

The Sokoto state commissioner of police Ali Hayattu Kaigama said police through community policing would continue to engage stakeholders in its effort at peace building.

He further disclosed that Nigerian police would partner with the Nigerian army and other sister security agencies in tackling insecurity bedevilling the country.