President Muhammadu Buhari Thursday rallied Christian leaders in the
country to remain united and shame those stoking the fires of ethnic and
religious conflicts in the country for their short-term political gains.
Receiving members of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) from the
19 Northern States and Abuja led by Rev Dr. Yakubu Pam, at the
Presidential Villa, the President reaffirmed his administration’s
commitment to bring violent conflicts in Plateau, Benue, Nasarawa, Taraba,
Zamfara and other flash-points to a decisive end.
He urged the Christian community to complement government efforts by
working firmly for a united and strong Nigeria.
‘‘Government can achieve lasting peace only with the sincere and active
cooperation of communities, religious leaders, youths and other
stakeholders.
‘‘These include the Media in whose hands lies the power to frame, shape
the perspectives and narratives which influence the thinking of millions
of people within and outside Nigeria.
‘‘Let us collectively shame those who are stoking the fires of ethnic and
religious conflicts for their short-term political gains.
‘‘This country belongs equally to Christians and Muslims and even those
who claim ignorance of God,’’ the President told the Christian leaders.
Condemning the recent killings in Benue, Zamfara and lately Plateau, which
he described as ‘‘wicked, condemnable and completely unacceptable acts’’,
the President stressed that Nigerians are religious people and no religion
or culture accepts the killing of people for any reason whatsoever.
‘‘This is why we must all rise as one to condemn these vile and wicked
acts to ensure that all the culprits are brought to justice
‘‘We owe it to the memory of those who lost their lives in the violence in
Plateau, Benue, Nasarawa, Taraba, Zamfara and elsewhere since 1999 to
bring the conflicts to a decisive end. I assure you that we will do this.
‘‘Let me make it clear that even a single life lost in any part of the
country is one too many. I came to office vowing to ensure the protection
of lives and property, and I remain committed to this despite the
challenges we have experienced,’’ President Buhari said.
He also used the occasion of the visit by CAN Northern leaders to
enumerate some steps taken by his administration to check the recurring
violence in some parts of the country.
‘‘In recent weeks, we have beefed up Operation Safe Haven in Plateau
State, with the deployment of extra Special Forces from the Defence
Headquarters.
‘‘Besides, we currently have no fewer than three special military
intervention forces in the troubled zones.
‘‘Operation Safe Haven to secure Plateau State, Operation Whirl Stroke 1
(OPWS) to secure Benue, Taraba and Nasarawa and OPWS 2 to secure Zamfara
and Kaduna States.
‘‘These forces are supported with investigative and intelligence gathering
capabilities from the Nigeria Police Force, Department of State Services
and other agencies,’’ he said.
Acknowledging that it is the full responsibility of government to deploy
law enforcement agencies in troubled spots, the President noted that
creating the platform and mechanisms for dialogue remained a collective
effort for all citizens.
He told the Christian leaders that the military and police have arrested
hundreds of suspects across the various flash-points in the region and
several prosecutions are going on, noting that there have been a number of
convictions.
‘‘Nigerians are right when they say they want to see more convictions and
I would like to appeal to the judiciary to help us fast track these
cases,’’ he said.
President Buhari also condemned insinuations that his government has done
nothing about the recent killings.
‘‘When some, for clearly political purposes, attempt to suggest that this
government is doing nothing about the killings and that I, being Fulani,
must be encouraging these satanic acts, it seems to me that there is no
limit to the evil in the minds of men.
‘‘Otherwise, how can anyone in their right minds suggest that I, as an
elected President even with substantial votes in the affected areas, will
for any reason do harm by an act of omission to those same people?
‘‘Secondly, the problems in all these areas, as you all know, are
historical. There is no administration that has not had to contend with
killings in these same areas over the years.
‘‘Indeed, in 2001, you may recall that after thousands were killed in
Plateau State, a State of Emergency was declared and a Governor was
replaced by an Administrator,’’ he said.
Earlier in his remarks, the leader of the delegation, Dr Pam had
enumerated some demands from the Christian community in Northern Nigeria,
including an urgent review of the nation’s security architecture;
rebuilding of communities ravaged by the attacks and provision of adequate
security for farmers in the region.
The cleric, among others, also challenged the Federal government to
encourage herders to acquire land for ranching across the country as a
means of private business investment.