Kukah identifies religious intolerance, fanatism , others as factors responsible or nsecurity

Gbolahan Salman Sokoto

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

Kukah stated this on Tuesday during the high level town hall meeting organized by the Kukah Centre in collaboration with Global Right a Non governmental Organizations, 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 , fanatism , injustice , 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 rever 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 , inequality are some factors contributing to insecurity.

He charged those in authority to be fair in dealing with their subjects, saying they would give 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 in peace building.

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

Some stakeholders who spoke blamed institutional failure for security challenges facing the nation.

They pointed out that corruption, economic hardship, poverty, unemployment are responsible for insecurity in the country, they also condemned jungle justice urging people not to take law into their hands.