The Seriki Fulani of Rivers State and State Chapter Chairman, Jama,atu Nasiril Islam, Alhaji Yau Mogodi has cautioned Moslems residing in the state to avoid all forms of confrontations with their host communities and the state.
Alhaji Ya’u who gave the charge during a chat with newsmen in his office at Onne Park in Eleme local government area of the State noted that there is no place in the Holy Books that God instructed people to steal people’s property, kill people or to do evil to anybody. The Sariki Fulani called on both Christian and moslems in the State to come together to ensure peaceful coexistence adding that unity is needed to achieve progress in the country.
Alhaji Ya’u who commended the chairman of Eleme local government council, Hon. Obarilomati Ollor for the prevailing peace in the area, described the relationship between the Muslim community and Christians in Eleme as cordial and united, cautioned against the politicization of religion to create crises in the country.
The Rivers JNI Chairman noted that both Christianity and Islam have existed for long and urged adherents of both religion not to allow any politician to use it to cause crises in the country.
“Let everybody obey the law and not take laws in their hands. If there is any problem against any Muslim, you can report to us or to the police. My duty as Muslim leader is to tell people about God. There is no place that God instructed people to steal people’s property, kill or do evil to anybody. God is a merciful God to all humanity,” Alhaji Ya’u stated.
On the persistent herder-farmer crises in the State, Alhaji Ya’u said he had always spoken out, advising cattle herders to maintain peace with their host communities, adding that just as he will not want anybody to kill his cows, so will no farmer condone any cattle to destroy crops in the farm.
“I have cows and I would not allow anybody to kill my cows. So also should no cattle herder come and destroy farms and crops of any farmer with his animals. I advise all Muslims to keep the peace. Let everybody live in peace with his nieghbors,” the Islamic leader stated.
