Ibadan chiefs warn against violence over Sokoto killing

Say religion should not be allowed to cause disunity

The Ibadan Mogajis, traditional chiefs, and senior and high chiefs have urged religious organisations and youths in the state, particularly in Ibadanland, not to allow religion to divide them, saying that Muslims, Christians and traditionalists co-exist effectively in the state and Ibadan city in particular.

They made the call, at the weekend, in the heel of the outrage over the killing of a female student of Shehu Shagari College of Education, Deborah Samuel Yakubu, for alleged blasphemy against Prophet Muhammed (SAW) and the violent protest that followed thereafter.

The chiefs noted that Ibadaland had been very peaceful and accommodative, adding that no family in Ibadaland that devoid of at least two of the three religions.

They, therefore, warned all concerned stakeholders that whatever happened in any part of the country, nobody should take advantage of it to foment any trouble in Ibadanland.

A statement by the President of the Association of Mogajis of Ibadanland, Mogaji Asimiyu Ariori and Co-ordinator, Ibadan Compounds Peace and Security Initiatives, Mogaji (Asiwaju) Nurudeen Akinade, which was made available to journalists in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, urged the Chief Imams, Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), various Islamic and Christian organisations and youth organisations in Ibadaland to ensure peaceful co-existence and preaching of religious tolerance.