Stop giving ethnic, religious colouration to banditry, kidnapping  – Islamic Council 

The Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) has said that attempts to portray Nigerian Muslims as perpetrators of Kidnapping, banditry and other violent crimes is false and misleading, stating that such position is unfair to the overwhelming majority of peace-loving Muslims that contribute to national development across all sectors.

In a statement signed by its spokesperson, Abbas Jimoh to mark Nigeria’s Democracy Day, the council said, “Recent efforts by some individuals and groups to associate Islam and Muslims with criminal activities were unjust and dangerous to national unity.”

The statement recalled recent kidnapping incident in Orire Local Government Area of Oyo State and the attempts to link the crime to a particular ethnic or religious group.

It explained that suspects should be identified and prosecuted based on evidence and not identity, saying that criminal acts should not be given ethnic or religious colouration.

The statement further observed with dismay the broader security challenges facing the country such as terrorism, banditry and kidnapping that have continued to claim lives, displace communities and hinder development.

The NSCIA expressed sympathy for victims and their families being affected by criminal activities and condemned all forms of violence, advising those involved to abandon such criminal activities.

It called on the media and opinion leaders not to leave any stone unturned by reporting responsibly and avoid narratives capable of deepening divisions or mistrust among Nigerians.

The council hailed the efforts of the Federal Government and security agencies in tackling insecurity, calling for greater cooperation to restore peace.