Religious Unrest In Nigeria -By Otubure Aruesiri Favour

Religious unrest in Nigeria refers to Christian-Muslim strife, which can be traced back to 1953. Today, religious unrest is dominated by the Boko Haram insurgency, which aims to establish an Islamic state in Nigeria. Nigeria was amalgamated in 1914, only about a decade after the defeat of the Sokoto Caliphate and other Islamic states by the British, which were to constitute much of Northern Nigeria. The aftermath of the first World War saw Germany lose its colonies, one of which was Cameroon, to French, Belgian and British mandates. Cameroon was divided in French and British parts, the latter of which was further subdivided into Southern and Northern parts. Following a plebiscite in 1961, the southern Cameroons elected to rejoin French Cameroon, while the Northern Cameroons opted to join Nigeria, a move which added to Nigeria’s already large Northern Muslim population. The territory comprised much of what is now Northeastern Nigeria, and a large part of the areas affected by the present and past insurgencies. Following the return of democratic government in 1999, the Muslim that dominated Northern Nigeria states have introduced Sharia law, including punishments against blasphemy and apostasy. Several incidents have occurred whereby people have been killed for or in response to perceived blasphemy. Many religious wars were fought in the past. Even today, religions are major sources of disturbance and conflicts in various parts of the world. We have to wonder why religions are so destructive and why they divide people, and cause them such harm. The following factors seem to be directly or indirectly responsible for religious unrest.

Religious unrest is caused by scriptures. It may incite violence or violent behaviour if they seem to condone certain forms of aggression and behaviour as virtuous or if they contain explicit information, which encourages such behaviour with the promise of heavenly rewards or an external life. Because of them, some people may feel motivated to be part of God’s war against evil.

Beliefs is another cause of this unrest in the nation. Certain rational and irrational beliefs which are reinforced or justified by the scriptures tradition or precedence, may strengthen or promote aggressive behaviour. For example, the belief that a person who dies in the battlefield or for religious cause goes straight to heaven encourages many to participate in religious wars or extreme forms of religious violence. Because of such beliefs some people feel encouraged to indulge in violence against non-believers, or those who lead unconventional lifestyles such as homosexuals.

Politics is also a cause of religious unrest in Nigeria. In democratic societies and secular nations the politics of divide and rule often incite communal passions and lead to violent clashes. In theocracies religious violence is used by rulers to enforce obedience, loyalty and discipline. One of the worst examples was the partition of India in 1947 in which millions of people died both in India and Pakistan due to communal clashes. Certain political ideologies also tend to discriminate religious people for their beliefs and values and create resentment and hostility.

Another factor that causes religious unrest is economic interest. Wide disparities in incomes or standards of living among religious groups or the discriminatory policies of governments which seem to favour certain religious groups against others, may lead to violence and civil unrest. Religious propagation was the main driving force behind the colonial and imperial policies of the European nations until the second World War. They openly encouraged discriminatory policies and religious propagation to subdue native populations.

Religious unrest may occur if the interests of one community are threatened or undermined by another community, an inimical ideology or political leadership, especially when the community seem to be disproportionately enjoying higher status, power or privileges. When community interests are threatened, aggressive elements within in the community may rise in protest to protect them. In turn, it may create a counter reaction in other communities and promote the extreme elements within them to register their feelings and concerns.

If religions are causing strife and discard, or if they are being misused by vested groups, what can anyone do about it? How can Nigeria save themselves and others from the destructive tendencies that are inherent in their religions or from the evil machinations of those who want to exploit them? Religions are meant to elevate human consciousness and promote spiritual wellbeing. They are not to limit our choices but to transcend our dependence upon them and our bondage to a limited and restricted life. To live in balance, express positive emotions, enjoy life, experience peace and happiness, they are why anyone should be religious or practice any religion. There is no point in using religion for harmful and destructive purposes. It purpose should be to facilitate God’s will upon the earth. Our religion is as good as our knowledge, character and personality. Religions becomes evil in the hands of evil people.

As long as religions exist, because of their extremely divisive nature, religious violence is going to stay and be part of human expression. However, some forms of religious unrest and their intensity may be curbed to some extent both at the individual and collective levels. For that religious institution must provide right knowledge to their adherents. Government should pass strict laws and enforce them without discrimination to discourage those who resort to to violence to settle their differences. People need to focus upon the positive aspects of their religions cultivate tolerance. Most importantly, religious extremists, to whichever religion they belong, must be isolated and dealt with severe punishments and deterrents.

BY OTUBURE ARUESIRI FAVOUR

A LAW STUDENT OF THE FACULTY OF LAW DELTA STATE UNIVERSITY, ABRAKA (OLEH CAMPUS)