APC Chieftain Urges Government to Monitor Religious Sermons in Plateau State

Ambassador Abayomi Nurain Mumuni, a chieftain of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in Lagos State, has advised the Federal Government and security agencies to closely monitor the sermons delivered by religious leaders, particularly in Plateau State, to prevent unnecessary crises.

This advice comes in the wake of recent unrest in Plateau State, where over 163 people have lost their lives in the past two weeks following attacks by gunmen in Barkin-Ladi and Bokkos local government areas on Christmas Eve, resulting in the loss of lives and destruction of property worth millions of naira.

In a statement released through his media aide, Rasheed Abubakar, Ambassador Mumuni condemned the role played by some religious and ethnic leaders in exacerbating the crisis.

He emphasized the need for religious leaders to refrain from preaching hate, which can incite reprisal attacks and further escalate tensions.

He called on the government to actively monitor and manage the content of sermons delivered by religious leaders.

Ambassador Mumuni also highlighted the multifaceted nature of the crisis in Plateau State, attributing it to long-standing ethno-religious rivalries and conflicts between herders and farmers.

He suggested that the establishment of state police could help address the local issues contributing to the recurring attacks in Plateau State.

Furthermore, he urged the Federal Government, under the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and the National Assembly to reconsider the establishment of state police in Nigeria.

He argued that such a move would promote true federalism and address security challenges rooted in local conflicts and distrust among various groups in the country.