Segun Awofadeji in Bauchi
Bauchi State Government has threatened to take decisive action against any cleric using inciting statements in the name of religious preaching, warning that such action could ignite crisis among the people of various Faiths.
The government also directed security agents to deal with hoodlums otherwise called Sara Suka groups and individuals terrorising innocent persons especially in the state capital.
The Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Barrister Ibrahim Kashim, who gave the warning shortly after the state security council meeting in Bauchi yesterday, said: “As far as we are concerned, it is not the issue of ‘Akida’ or politics, but is about inciting statements that are bound to create divisions between our people.”
Kashim, who expressed displeasure over the mode of preaching by some Bauchi – based clerics, maintained that government would not allow such actions to cause conflict and disunity among different sects.
According to him, religion is a sensitive issue hence the move by government to ensure preachers are respecting the views of one another to guarantee peaceful coexistence.
Kassim further warned that the state government would not allow anybody either through actions or utterances to disrupt the peace the state is enjoying.
He explained: “The state government is aware of its responsibilities, and its major responsibility is to provide the security of lives and property of its people.”
Kassim described Bauchi as “a multi-religious, multi-cultural people with different religious backgrounds where each and everybody has the right to practice his/her religion with nobody having the right to determine how one goes about his/her worshiping.”
The Bauchi SSG said that the state government would henceforth not allow anybody to incite the faith of anyone or other people that are dear to their faith”, stressing that government is fully determine to live up to its responsibility of safeguarding the lives and property of its people.”
On the issue of Sara Suka, the SSG noted that security operatives were directed to penalise the perpetrators in view of the incessant violent attacks being carried out by the notorious youth in most parts of the State capital.
Also speaking, the State Commissioner of Police, Aminu Alhassan said the Police and other security operatives would intensify operations in all the nooks and crannies to ensure adequate security of lives and properties of the people.
