Boko Haram is not a representation of Islam - Army berates terrorist group

macfranc007 December 12, 2017 Nigeria News today & Breaking news ▷ Read Nigerian newspapers 24/7 Tunde Ososanya

- The Nigerian army has said that the Boko Haram terrorist group has no religious undertone, saying the Quran preaches peace and unity

- The army preached on promotion of national security through constructive dialogue, emphasising on the need for religious leaders to help in achieving this

- It said our diversity should be a source of strength and not for disunity to be entrenched among Nigerians

The Nigeria army's director of Islamic affairs, Major General Mohammed Mohammed, has condemned the activities of the Boko Haram insurgents, saying the organisation has no religious undertone, Channels TV reports.

NAIJ.com gathered that Mohammed stated this on Monday, December 11, at One Division, Bukavu barracks in Kano state during its yearly conference.

He said, “The programme is in respect to national security. Tell the public that the insinuation from Boko Haram or other criminal elements that have no religious undertones, is not a representation of Islam.

“The theme for this national week is promoting national security through constructive dialogue.

" Religious leaders have a greater role in bringing stability in the country, so we hope and pray that God will help us for peaceful coexistence to come back to this country.”

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The lecture which was targeted towards religious tolerance and enhancing peaceful coexistence among Nigerians, was also to address security issues.

Religious leaders from different faiths alongside top military officers and soldiers graced the occasion. Traditional leaders also attended the event.

A senior Islamic scholar, Abubakar Abdullahi, said promotion of peace and a land where everyone is safe can only be achieved through justice and appreciation of diversity.

He said: “As far as Islam is concerned, there is wisdom of God in our diversity. The Quran has told us very clearly that Allah says all you mankind not only Muslims have been created man and woman, nation and tribe, to enhance one another, not fight one another.

"Our diversity should be a source of strength."

Meanwhile, NAIJ.com had previously reported that Maj.-Gen. Rogers Nicholas, the newly-posted theater commander, Operation Lafiya Dole, had called on the Boko Haram insurgents to lay down their arms and embrace peace.

He said that the call was imperative to encourage remnants of the Boko Haram insurgents to surrender in order to end insurgency and guarantee lasting peace in the north.

Nigerian Air Force operations against Boko Haram - on NAIJ.com TV