NAN-H-87
Prosecution
By Lizzy Okoji
Abuja, Dec.7, 2016 (NAN) Prof. Sanni Lugga, Wazirin Katsina, has urged the government to duly prosecute instigators and suspects of religious, political and economic violence, to serve as a deterrent to others.
Lugga made the call on Wednesday in Abuja at a workshop organised by Korad Adeneur Stiftung (KAS), a German NGO, with the theme“The Role of Traditional Leaders and Political Stakeholders in Social and Economic Development.
According to Lugga, since the first incident of insurgency in Nigeria till date, several committees have been set up by the government to investigate the conflicts, insurgency and security challenges.
He noted that all the panels submitted similar qualitative reports and recommendations which had not been properly implemented.
Lugga explained that the non-implementation of the reports encouraged recurring and unabated conflicts because stern punishments were not applied to serve as a deterrent to others.
“If the big wigs who fund these religious and economic violence are being prosecuted, there will be nobody to fund activities of insurgency and militancy.”
The traditional leader identified conflicts and insecurity as the biggest threats to Nigeria’s cooperate existence which should be effectively contained.
He noted that traditional institutions, religious leaders, security agencies and the legislators had key roles to play in fostering peace, security, and stability for the development of the country.
Lugga urged traditional and religious leaders to enlighten their followers on the dictates of their religions that preach peaceful co-existence and how best to accommodate each other’s religions.
“ Religious illiteracy is a cause of major violence in Nigeria because most religious faithful are not properly educated on the injunctions of their religion.
“Neither Islam nor Christianity, the major religions in Nigeria encourages its followers to kill anybody, but the reverse is the case as most religious violence end up with bloodshed.
“Religious knowledge should be reintroduced in school curricula to infuse morality in youths because when they are taught that killing is a crime with grave consequences, they would not indulge in it.
“Traditional leaders should provide the much needed surveillance with a view to flushing out criminals embedded in their various communities.’’
He urged legislators at all levels to make laws and perform oversight functions diligently, to ensure the provision of good governance at all levels and effective performance of traditional institutions.
Lugga also called on the Police to implement Community Policing in line with global trend.
Also speaking, Rev. Musa Asake, the General Secretary, Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), urged religious leaders to live by example as their actions and sermons have great impact on their followers.
He urged them to shun any negative message or teachings contrary to the teachings of their holy books.
Earlier, Mrs Hildegard Behrendt-Kigozi, the Resident representative of KAS in Nigeria, said the discussion was organised to bring stakeholders together on their various roles in ensuring national development.
She noted that religious and traditional leaders interface more with the people and as such had the task of correctly informing and educating the public in collaboration with legislators and others in authority.
“Religious leaders and politicians should take up responsibilities for the social development of the society because social and economic development go hand in hand.
“If there is no good social and economic development, it could lead to security challenges,’’ Behrendt-Kigozi said. (NAN)
LIZ/NKO
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Edited by Nkechi Okoronkwo
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