Commander of the Special Task Force Operation Safe Haven (OPSH) and General Officer Commanding 3 Division, Maj.-Gen. Abdulsalam Abubakar, who gave the warning, at the weekend, during a symposium organised for religious leaders on the Plateau by the OPSH at Khobe Cantonment, Rukuba Barracks, Jos, said the aim of the symposium was to outline the importance of religious leaders as key contributors to peace in the society.
He said the damages inciting sermons had caused by religious leaders include fuelling tension and anger among religious groups.
Abubakar told the gathering that the symposium was a platform for constructive discussions on how to leverage sermons to bring permanent peace to Plateau State.
He urged the participants to reflect on their sermons and continually preach peace over violence, saying that the participants were drawn from different religious groups that have shown commitment to a peaceful society.
Meanwhile, the guest speakers, Sheikh Ghazali Ismail, Deputy Chief Imam of Jos Central Mosque and Revd Fr. Boniface Nkum, Director of Studies, Saint Augustine Missionary School, Jos, while delivering a paper on the topic, “The Effects Of Inciting Preaching On Peaceful Coexistence On The Plateau,” said religious leaders had strong potential to influence their followers, adding that that religious stigmatisation has caused serious problems in society over the years.
In the paper, the guest speakers agreed that the government must provide an active platform where religious leaders who make inciting statements could be reported and sanctioned accordingly.
They maintained that interfaith dialogue and education must be encouraged to promote harmonious relationships among different religious groups.
The speakers, while calling on the religious advisory committee of the state to wake up to its duties, added that religious leaders must take responsibility for the messages they convey to their followers.
Also, in their separate remarks, the Emir of Wase and Chairman, Jamatul Nasir Islam (JNI), Plateau State, Muhammadu Sambo Haruna and Chairman, Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Plateau State, Revd. Fr. Polycarp Lubo, said that government and security agencies must not spare religious leaders that are encouraging violence through inciting statements.
They, however, said that similar symposiums should be organised at the local level to educate people on the need for religious tolerance.
On his part, the Special Adviser on Security to Plateau State Governor, Brig.-Gen. G.G. Shipi (rtd), said there must be public condemnation of preachers inciting statements, especially by followers of the same faith.
He revealed that the Inter-religious Advisory Council in the state was active to address issues relating to religion and practices.
In his vote of thanks, the Chairman of OPSH 55-man peace implementation committee, Justice Daniel Longji (rtd), said inciting statements create mob action and urged the participants to promote sermons that would encourage unity.
