Amid the recent wave of violence in Plateau State, Nigeria, Ambassador Abayomi Nurain Mumuni, a prominent figure in the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in Lagos State, has called upon the Federal Government and security agencies to closely monitor the sermons preached by religious leaders. He emphasizes the critical role of monitoring in averting unnecessary crises in the region.
The plea comes in the wake of a devastating attack that claimed the lives of at least 163 individuals over the past two weeks. Gunmen targeted two local government areas of Barkin-Ladi and Bokkos, perpetrating mass killings and causing extensive property damage on Christmas Eve.
Mumuni expressed concern over the divisive messages propagated by certain religious and ethnic leaders, highlighting the harmful impact of hate speech on fueling retaliatory actions. He firmly condemned the dissemination of such incendiary rhetoric and urged for greater vigilance in overseeing the content of sermons delivered to congregations.
The seasoned APC chieftain also underscored the multifaceted nature of the crisis in Plateau State, citing the longstanding ethno-religious tensions and the conflict between herders and farmers as underlying factors contributing to the unremitting violence. Addressing the need for localized intelligence and intervention, he advocated for the reconsideration of establishing state police to address the security challenges at a grassroots level.
Mumuni further posited that the implementation of state police forces aligns with the principles of true federalism, which President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has consistently supported. He contends that empowering states with their own law enforcement agencies would provide a more effective mechanism for addressing localized security issues rooted in ethnic, religious, and economic disparities.
As the nation grapples with the recurring turmoil in Plateau State, Mumuni’s recommendations serve as a timely intervention, offering a holistic approach to mitigate the deep-seated conflicts and foster greater social harmony.
