Clergymen Should Be Preaching Peace Not Giving Indirect Clues To Criminals -By Mukhtar Garba Kobi

Africa’s giant Nigeria as we all know is endowed with both natural and human resources thereby making it as the most populous and fastest growing economy in the continent. The country for decade now is shackled with ample cases of insecurity, one of such is kidnapping primarily for money making. Security agencies are trying in different areas, leaving behind their families, putting their lives and enduring rain, heat as well as cold conditions for other citizens to sleep with both eyes closed. The endearing peace and normalcy that returned to ravaged communities are results of efforts been made by government’s forces, instead of commending them some personalities are jeopardizing it; they do so through media or other channels which circulate like wildfire into communities down to lawbreakers.

To discourage all nefarious activities of criminals especially kidnappers or politicians that embezzle funds meant to execute projects, Federal government through the Central Bank of Nigeria decided to re-design some Naira notes. The aim was to ensure that all currencies stocked by heartless individual or groups are no longer useful especially during transactions, henceforth any that go to bank with huge amounts of money for the redesigned ones would be questioned on how he or she get them apart from formal investigation by anti-graft agencies. Sadly, as government is trying to extinguish criminalities, some are busy adding fuel. Just last week, a famous preacher in the North when questioned by newsmen on redesigning of some currency notes says that criminals might no longer accept Naira but foreign currencies.

Just on Saturday, based on credible news that some members of Islamic State of West African Province (ISWAP) operating unlawfully in Nigeria and around Lake Chad switched to collecting West African CFA not naira as currency of trade, this followed decision on naira re-design and wrong comments by some people on it. Some States record incidences of kidnappings on daily basis, despite successes achieved in eliminating high number of kidnappers and arresting many, others in some places are operating unchallenged and might decide to heed to the indirect advices giving by unpatriotic politicians or religious preachers. Many have lost their precious lives since the insecurity started, others were murdered by kidnappers just because their families were unable to pay million as ransoms demanded or paid but delivered not on agreed time.

Many knew hideouts of insurgents or kidnappers and they are ready to expose them but afraid of their safety afterward. People have reported criminalities in their neighborhoods and doers were arrested but sadly, they spend few weeks or months behind bars and later on set free resulted in bouncing back on those that led to their arrest. Any that has hand in the insecurity happening in my dear country should bear in mind that tension knows nobody, it consumes the lives of those that ignite it along with those that knows nothing; there would be a day in which all they got would absolutely not be of any relevance. Martin Luther King Jr once says ‘Peace is not merely a distant goal that we seek, but a means by which we arrive at that goal’, we can achieved peace and security if everyone play a role and governments back it up.

Lastly, preachers should continue playing their roles in communities as religious guides, telling leaders the naked truth and serving as cement that smoothen people towards developments. Governments should never reverse any good decision over what people might say or do, those that support criminality with whatever ranging from advices, provisions or finance should be arrested in order to harvest the bad seeds planted. Safety of whistle blowers and people that expose criminals must be guaranteed, then criminals taken to courts and found guilty must serve the punishment of their heinous crimes. Nigeria belongs to all, foreigner would never allow all Nigeria to live in their lands where war breaks here, therefore we must do all it takes to make Nigeria the best country on earth!!

Mukhtar writes from Bauchi and can be reached via garbakobim@gmail.com