Former Senate Leader, Ali Ndume, has cautioned against giving religious colouration to terrorism, banditry and kidnapping across the country.
Ndume, who represents Borno South senatorial district in the National Assembly, noted that terror groups like the Boko Haram has continued to inflict pain and destruction on Nigerians irrespective of faith.
Ndume, who is also the former Chairman, Senate Committee on Army, gave the admonition in a statement on Wednesday, following last weekend’s attacks on Ngoshe community in Gwoza Local Government Area and Mussa village in Askira-Uba Local Government Area, both in Borno State.
The insurgents, in two separate assaults, reportedly killed five Muslim farmers on Saturday in Ngoshe, and three Christians in Mussa the following day. Dozens of houses were also razed in the incidents.
Reacting to media reports suggesting that the victims of the attacks were exclusively Christians, Ndume expressed concern over what he described as a dangerous narrative capable of inflaming passions and undermining national cohesion.
He said: “It is unethical and unconscionable for any media outlet to drive the narrative that Christians are the targets of these attacks by the terror group in Borno or anywhere in the North East.
“The forces behind these mindless killings are blind to faith and tribe. We should avoid this dangerous profiling, which can distract us and do more harm. It can even inflame negative passion in our soldiers and dampen the morale of men who toil day and night, determined to ensure that they wipe away this dangerous sect.”
Ndume lamented that ordinary people, whose only aspirations are peace and livelihood, have continued to bear the brunt of insurgent attacks.
“Our people, whose only pursuit is to farm and live peacefully, are being cut down by those who thrive on violence and destruction. They deserve the right to live, to farm and to dream,” he said.
While praising the military for maintaining the fight against Boko Haram, the lawmaker urged the Federal Government to pay more attention to the welfare of troops and ensure an adequate supply of arms and ammunition to help them defeat the terrorists.
