Politics
Sultan calls for arrest, prosecution of Oyedepo, Suleiman, other hate preachers
The Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar III, has called for the arrest and prosecution of Nigerian pastors preaching that Christian should pick up arms against Boko Haram and Muslim Fulani herdsmen who have continued to attack and kill them.
His call came on the heels of alleged attempt by operatives of the Department of State Security (DSS) to arrest Apostle Johnson Suleiman of the Omega Fire Ministries Worldwide in Ado Ekiti State around 1am on Wednesday.
The arrest which was reportedly foiled by Ekiti State Governor Ayodele Fayose, was sequel to a recent preaching by the cleric that Christians should retaliate against incessant brutal killings by Muslim Fulani herdsmen.
Suleiman’s preaching came following the reported killing of over 800 Southern Kaduna Christians by Muslim Fulani Herdsmen and other similar attacks across the country.
A recent video that went viral on the internet also quoted Pastor David Oyedepo of the Winners Chapel calling on members of his church to spill the blood of any Muslim fanatics who attack them. He went further to call on God to break up Nigeria if it was His will.
Although the church denied that the video was not new and was not in respect to Southern Kaduna killings, it however did not deny the pastor making such call.
Many other pastors have also warned that Christians in Nigeria will no longer watch their Muslim attackers in the name of Boko Haram and Fulani Herdsmen kill them without attacking back.
However, speaking at the opening of a two-day conference organised by International Dialogue Centre (KAICIID), an inter-governmental organisation that promotes dialogue to build peace in conflict areas, the Sultan called on the Federal Government to ensure the arrest and prosecution of people who preach and promote hate speeches in the country.
Read also: Fayose foils DSS arrest of pastor who preached Christian retaliation against herdsmen (Photos)
The conference was supported by the Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution (IPCR), in collaboration with the Inter faith Mediation Centre (IMC).
Accusing those preaching hate speeches of causing friction between Christians and Muslims in the country, he said, “While we pray for peace and dialogue, preachers of hate must be reported to the security agencies.
“Therefore, we must work hard for peace and live in peace and harmony. All of us believe in dialogue that is why we are here. Some of us are outside Abuja and we have to travel long distance to be here. This shows what we want peace because violence, killings is contrary to the teaching of our Holy books.
“We are not here to teach ourselves the holy books, but to use them appropriately. We must tell ourselves the truth we must collaborate with authorities to deal with those who don’t want peace.
“I have not lost hope in this country; I have never lost hope in my relationship with Christians.
“If you did something wrong, I will call you and advise you. We must continue to show love as our religion ordered us, “he said.
Earlier on Monday, the Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity to President Muhammadu Buhari, Shehu Garba, had, while taking questions from a team of Channels Television journalists, invited security agencies to consider arresting Suleiman for his utterances.
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Animashaun Ayodeji
January 26, 2017 at 7:35 am
If care isn’t taken, this may lead to religious crisis in Nigeria. Sultan that is claiming he wants peace, has he not been in the country since the herdsmen started killing the Christians? What did he do to stop the killings before Pastors started expressing their anger verbally? Now that Christians may decide to retaliate, he’s advising the government to arrest the pastors involved. The northern leaders are part of people causing set back for Buhari’s government!
seyi jelili
January 26, 2017 at 10:46 am
So , is retaliation the solution to the problem Animashahun?
Retaliation will only deepen the crisis and nothing more than that.
Margret Dickson
January 26, 2017 at 7:42 am
This government is bias, irresponsible and very heartless! The emirs were not arrested when their followers were killing Christians, but DSS can go after the pastors for advising their followers to defend themselves from herdsmen’s dangers. Does this make sense? IsbBuhari trying to turn Nigeria into a Muslim country? This rubbish has to stop
JOHNSON PETER
January 26, 2017 at 8:13 am
Well as a christian, I need to be unbias. Sultan has spoken well. Men of God are not to preach violence or retaliation no matter what. Especially that of Apostle Suleman was extremely out of point. I pity Apostle suleiman for saying if he spends a day in DSS office, that Nigeria will suffer it for a year. Mtchew, all is empty threat, if he even spend a year there, Nigeria won’t even think of him for one day . He should be cautious of what he says.
yanju omotodun
January 26, 2017 at 1:05 pm
Fuck you!
You must be mad for talking anyhow to our most beloved Apostle suleiman , it seems you want fire to burn you and your family shey?
If DSS should try arresting him, their office will get burnt in no distant time. God of Elijah is still on throne.
chichi emerue
January 26, 2017 at 5:48 pm
Don’t be a fool because i can see you are blind. How sure are you that apostle Suleiman said such or you just read and conclude.becarful on how you say things that partainning men of God
Raphael
January 28, 2017 at 3:28 pm
Dis guy ur insane. U need go for check up. So bcoz we are Christians we should sit down and fold our arms and watch dose uncircumcised demons slit our throats. I wish u or any of ur family member will have an encounter with those bastards
Barr. Macaulay G.
January 28, 2017 at 7:02 pm
Since some have chosen this forum to poor invectives on people who do not share their opinion, I must choose my words carefully. Only a few Christians can hold their peace in the face of the provocations coming from the north. So one can understand the feeling of rejection and anger that propelled Pastor Suleiman’s vituperations against the powers that be. Perhaps the comments wouldn’t have drawn the ire of the DSS, if they had remained in the realm of mere imprecations. But the Clergyman, in a fit of rage veered off into a criminal terrain. Incitement to violence and breach of public peace is a criminal offence! All the Apostle needed to do was to advise the congregants to be circumspect and to only act in self defence. That would have put him comfortably within the ambit of the law. Let’s follow the example of the Lord Jesus in John 14:30 ‘hereafter I will not talk much with you: for the Prince of this world cometh, and hath nothing in me.”
Roland Uchendu Pele
January 26, 2017 at 11:43 am
“Christians should retaliate against incessant brutal killings by Muslim Fulani herdsmen” is what is causing this much trouble in the country, whereas these Muslims and herdsmen have been having a free course for many years.
Perhaps, the Sultan wants more trouble. He had better face his throne.
Joy Madu
January 26, 2017 at 5:05 pm
No matter what it is sultan is a foolish man and will get war they deserve
MATEKPO
January 27, 2017 at 6:42 pm
The battle is of the lord we have watch and seen their body language and they have failed. let me tell you Christians don’t you see that everything is turning around for your GOOD.