Stop Ethnicising banditry, kidnapping, Clerics Tell Nigerians

Muslim Clerics in Ogun State under the aegis of the Progressive Muslim Clerics (PMC) have cautioned Nigerians against linking banditry, kidnapping and terrorism to any particular ethnic group, insisting that criminality cuts across tribal, religious and regional lines. Speaking on Tuesday at a press conference in Abeokuta to mark the 1448 Hijrah celebration, President of […]

Muslim Clerics in Ogun State under the aegis of the Progressive Muslim Clerics (PMC) have cautioned Nigerians against linking banditry, kidnapping and terrorism to any particular ethnic group, insisting that criminality cuts across tribal, religious and regional lines.

Speaking on Tuesday at a press conference in Abeokuta to mark the 1448 Hijrah celebration, President of PMC, Alhaji AbdulWasiu Akinyemi, said it was misleading to portray insecurity as the handiwork of a single tribe.

According to him, available evidence shows that individuals from different ethnic and religious backgrounds have been involved in criminal activities across the country.

“Evidences are bound that this is not actually tied to a single tribe, even if we are talking about kidnapping, you can trace its origin. It didn’t start from where it is most prominent now,” Akinyemi said.

The Islamic scholar recalled past incidents of terrorism in Nigeria, including the 2010 bombing at Eagle Square in Abuja, to underscore his argument that insecurity predates its current concentration in some parts of the country.

“We all know where kidnapping started from, even the height of terrorism. So, from there, it moved on to some other parts of the country,” he said.

Akinyemi stressed that arrests made by security agencies have consistently revealed that suspects often come from different regions and faiths.

“Similarly, to the adherence of any faith either Islam, Christianity, traditional, men and women, when they are caught, we see them on the TV,” he said.

“We read them in newspapers that this is Chinedu with Adamu that have gone to kidnap. Even some southerners will change their names to northern names; it is only when they are caught we realize.

“So this goes to tell us that we are kidding ourselves thinking that it’s just a tribe that is perpetrating this evil.”

The cleric therefore urged Nigerians to avoid ethnic stereotypes and instead support collective efforts aimed at combating insecurity nationwide.

He also called on the Federal Government to intensify efforts to tackle banditry, kidnapping and terrorism, saying Nigerians deserve to live without fear.

“The onus is on the federal government to make sure that this problem of insecurity is tackled, is uprooted and we will begin to live our lives as normal citizens of Nigeria,” he said.

“They should do more.”

Akinyemi maintained that criminal activities should be addressed through justice and accountability rather than ethnic profiling, noting that insecurity remains a national challenge requiring a united response from all stakeholders.

He, however, commended the economic reforms of President Bola Tinubu and urged Muslims to support nation-building through peace, justice and community development.

Akinyemi said the reforms required patience, resilience and sacrifice, virtues exemplified by Prophet Muhammad.

According to him, the new Islamic year should usher in spiritual renewal, economic progress and sustainable national development.

The clerics said the Qur’an enjoins believers to uphold justice and fairness at all times, citing Surah Al-Ma’idah 5:8 and Surah An-Nisa 4:58 and 4:135.

He said the principle of equity supports the emergence of Ogun West as the source of the next governor of Ogun State.