The Nigerian Army today held a religious enlightenment seminar aimed
at countering violent extremism in Yobe State, the Northeast and Nigeria
in general.
Themed ‘Countering Insurgency and Violent Extremism in Nigeria
Through Authentic Religious Enlightenment “, the event brought together
religious leaders, traditional rulers, civil society organizations,
security operatives and political office holders among others from
within and outside the state under one roof to present authentic
narratives countering the extremists’ ideology.
Director of Islamic Affairs of the Nigerian Army, Brigadier General
Shehu Garba Mustapha said the religious enlightenment seminar cannot but
come at a better time than now and cannot be farfetched from the fact
that insurgency and violent extremism is one of the greatest hurdles to
peace and progress in any society.
“In continuation with the noble effort of countering the wrong
religious ideologies, this religious seminar is aimed at producing
appropriate narratives to defeat the wrong ideologies used by leaders of
the terrorists and vocational insurgents groups to recruit and
indoctrinate their follower from the larger society.
” it is also a fallout of the initial programme on counter-narrative
last year which generate enthusiasm from the clerics and leaders of
thought in Maiduguri. But due to the fact that the insurgency by Boko
Haram is ideological in nature”, Mustapha said.
The Director noted that the seminar will avail both Islamic and
Christians clerics the opportunity to identify religious ethos that
brings all faiths together towards achieving harmonious and peaceful
coexistence as a catalyst for achieving national cohesion and
developmental goals.
Governor Mai Mala Buni, represented by the Secretary to the Yobe
State Government, Baba Malam Wali said violent extremism is propagated
by incapable and misinformed individuals who have limited knowledge of
true teachings of Islam and indeed teachings of Christianity.
“In keeping with this, the State Government is resolutely committed
to continuing de-radicalization programme which has since been embarked
upon by the state Ministry of Religious Affairs”, he stated.
The governor hoped that the participants will take home all the
lessons learnt and propagate them among their followers towards
achieving the desired objectives.
Religious scholars such as the Chief Imam of Yobe Central Mosque,
Ustaz Hudu Mohammed, Reverend Emmanuel Morris Dafi and Sheikh Ibrahim
Damaturu who spoke at the seminar unanimously agreed that, there is no
alternative to peace and that violent extremism can be fought through
the true tenets of Islam and Christianity.
They also called on members of the public to join hands with security
forces in defeating Boko Haram insurgents ideologically, while also
advising for the training of religious scholars on how best to counter
and change the wrong narratives of the insurgents.