News

Plateau: Military Cautions Religious Leaders Against Inciting Sermons

Published

3 years ago

October 23, 2023

vicky

Religious leaders in Nigeria have been cautioned against making inciting comments that could threaten the peace of the country.

This warning came during a symposium organized for religious leaders in Plateau by the Special Task Force Operation SAFE HAVEN (OPSH) at Headquarters 3 Division Nigerian Army (NA), Maxwell Khobe Cantonment, Rukuba, Jos.

Delivering his keynote address at the event, the Commander Operation SAFE HAVEN and General Officer Commanding 3 Division NA, Major General AE Abubakar, said the aim of the symposium was to outline the importance of religious leaders as key contributors to peace in the society.

He lamented the damages inciting sermons from religious leaders have caused to include fueling tension and anger amongst religious groups.

Abubakar informed the gathering that the symposium was a platform for constructive discussions on how to leverage on sermons to bring permanent peace to Plateau State.

The commander urged the participants to reflect on their sermons and continually preach peace over violence. He further disclosed that the participants were drawn from different religious groups that have shown commitment to a peaceful society.

Delivering a paper on the topic: ‘The Effects Of Incitive Preaching On Peaceful Coexistence On The Plateau,’ the guest speakers, Sheikh Ghazali Ismail, Deputy Chief Imam, Jos Central Mosque; and Reverend Father Boniface Nkum, Director of Studies Saint Augustine Missionary School Jos, said religious leaders have strong potential to influence their followers.

They disclosed that religious stigmatization 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.

The guest speakers maintained that interfaith dialogue and education must be encouraged in order to promote harmonious relationships between different religious groups.

While calling on the religious advisory committee of the State to wake up to its duties, they added that religious leaders must take responsibility for the messages they convey to their followers.

In their separate remarks, the Emir of Wase and Chairman Jamatul Nasir Islam (JNI) Plateau State, Alhaji (Dr) Muhammadu Sambo Haruna, and the Chairman Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) Plateau State, Reverend Father Polycarp Lubo, said that the government and security agencies must not spare religious leaders encouraging violence by making inciting statements, while maintaining that no one was above the law in the country.

They advised that a similar symposium should be organised at the local levels to educate people on the need for religious tolerance.

On his part, the Special Adviser on Security to Plateau State Governor, Brigadier General GG Shipi (Rtd), disclosed that there must be public condemnation of preachers of inciting statements especially by followers of 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 OPSH 55-Man Peace Implementation Committee, Justice Daniel Longji (Rtd), said inciting statements create mob action and urged the participants to promote sermons that encourage unity.

Some of the dignitaries present at the event include; the Emir of Wase and Chairman Jamatul Nasir Islam (JNI) Plateau State, Alhaji (Dr) Muhammadu Sambo Haruna; Chairman Christian Association of Nigeria Plateau State, Reverend Father Polycarp Lubo; Special Adviser on Security to Plateau State Governor, Brigadier General GG Shipi (Rtd); Chairman OPSH 55-Man Peace Implementation Committee, Justice Daniel Longji (rtd), religious leaders of various denominations, Women Wings of CAN/JNI amongst others.

Related Topics:Military Cautions Religious Leaders Against Inciting Sermons plateau

Up Next

Northern Youths Commend Major-General Abubakar for Peace Efforts in Plateau

Don't Miss

Troops Arrest Jos Prison Escapee In Enugu

Click to comment

News

‘No one can rig Osun poll’ – Gov Adeleke

Published

2 hours ago

July 27, 2026

Preport

Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke has said no one will be able to rig or steal the August 15 governorship election in the state.

Speaking at a campaign rally in Oke-Ila, Ifedayo Local Government Area, Adeleke told supporters that every vote would count and urged residents to protect their ballots.

According to a statement by his spokesperson, Olawale Rasheed, the governor said the people were ready to defend their votes.

“I heard some politicians vowing to steal the votes. Where and how? Osun votes are untouchable. This is Osun State, the heart of Yoruba nation. Nobody can rig us out here,” Adeleke said.

He added, “The people’s votes will be defended. Their will on August 15 will become a reality.”

The governor also said, “Osun people are not scared. Osun people are not cowards. They will vote and defend their votes.”

Adeleke said his administration’s achievements would help secure victory, adding, “Our records speak for us.”

Health

DR Congo records 3,200 Ebola cases, 1,405 deaths as outbreak worsens

Published

3 hours ago

July 27, 2026

Preport

The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) has recorded 3,200 confirmed Ebola cases, including 1,405 deaths, as the outbreak continues to spread across six provinces, according to the country’s latest situation report.

The report, which covers data up to Saturday, showed that 571 patients have recovered, while 773 others remain in isolation and under medical supervision.

Within the previous 24 hours, health authorities recorded 125 new infections and 51 deaths, underscoring the continued transmission of the virus.

Ituri remains epicentre

The outbreak, declared on 15 May, is caused by the Bundibugyo strain of the Ebola virus, which has no approved vaccine or specific treatment, although candidate vaccines are undergoing evaluation.

According to the report, Ituri Province continues to bear the brunt of the outbreak, accounting for 89 per cent of all confirmed infections nationwide.

Health authorities attributed the sustained spread of the virus to population movements, insecurity, artisanal mining activities and cross border travel involving Uganda and South Sudan.

They noted that the outbreak remains in a phase of sustained transmission, with a high level of virus circulation across affected communities.

The report also highlighted mounting pressure on treatment facilities, particularly in North Kivu Province, where 171 patients are occupying centres designed for 141 beds.

Nationwide, Ebola treatment centres have reached an occupancy rate of 82.1 per cent, reflecting the increasing burden on the country’s health system.

Authorities said surveillance and response measures would be intensified to curb transmission and prevent further spread of the disease.

Case in Uganda

The latest figures from the DRC come as neighbouring Uganda moves closer to being declared Ebola free.

PREMIUM TIMES reported that Uganda began the mandatory 42-day countdown after discharging its last Ebola patient from an isolation unit.

Under World Health Organisation (WHO) guidelines, a country can only be declared Ebola free if no new cases are recorded during the 42 -day period.

Preparedness in Nigeria

As the outbreak worsens in Central Africa, Nigerian health authorities have intensified surveillance and emergency preparedness to reduce the risk of cross border transmission.

PREMIUM TIMES previously reported that the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) activated its Emergency Operations Centre, strengthened screening at points of entry and heightened surveillance across states following the declaration of the outbreak in the DRC and Uganda.

READ ALSO: CEPI begins first human trial of Bundibugyo Ebola vaccine

The federal government has also identified 21 states and the Federal Capital Territory as being at high risk of Ebola infection based on a dynamic risk assessment and has urged state governments to strengthen surveillance, isolation capacity and infection prevention measures.