The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, Thursday, enjoined leaders from southeast part of the country to plead with those agitating for the republic of Biafra to bury the dream.
The minister made this appeal while speaking at the Peace Conversation with religious leaders, organized by the National Orientation Agency (NOA), in Abuja.
He described those causing violence across the country as ‘mad people’.
He said, “You, our revered religious leaders, have a great role to play in this respect. Top on the list of these roles is the need to de-radicalize those who have been exposed to extremist and violent view of religion, especially in the North-east.
“It is important for you, our religious leaders, to highlight the pristine and unadulterated version of the two dominant religious faith, Christianity and Islam, to remind all the adherents of both faith that nowhere did any of them preach hatred and violence,” he said.
The Minister said though the agitation for Biafra was legitimate, they should take appropriate channel to ventilate their discontent, while allowing the government address the issues raised.
He said; “At a time of agitations in some parts of the country by persons who believe their interests have not been well catered for in the Federation over the years, our religious leaders can serve as an appealing voice to these aggrieved citizens.
“They can help them understand that while they have the right to ventilate their discontent, there is the need to do so using only the appropriate and established channels while allowing the government time to address the issues they raise without constituting themselves as a threat to the peace of their neighbour.
“The kind of destruction and devastation that I saw in those areas convinced me, more than ever, that the perpetrators are not adherents of any religion but a bunch of mad people.
“Our religious leaders must make this point loud and clear for the benefit of the gullible ones who may want to believe that those perpetrating the heinous killings in the North-east subscribe to any faith,” he said.
“The military is doing their bit to restore peace to the affected communities. What is missing, however, is the civilian component of the war, the need for all Nigerians to support the military and also own the war,” he appealed.
