By John Okeke
The Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution (IPCR) condemns the killing of Deborah Samuel, a student of College of Education, Sokoto, on Thursday 12 May, 2022 over alleged blasphemous statement against the Holy Prophet Mohammed (PBUH).
The IPCR calls for calm and sues for peaceful co-existence among citizens, stressing that we are brothers and sisters and as such should be living together as siblings devoid of violence and hate.
Commending the Sokoto State Government for measures already taken to address the situation, the Institute calls on the state government not to relent or relax its efforts to ensure peace is restored in the state.
The Institute further appeals for tolerance, as that is the only way peaceful co-existence and harmony can be guaranteed, noting that the country has gone through several challenges and in this period of electioneering, what Nigeria need more is tolerance and peace if the nation must move forward.
The Director-General, Dr. Bakut Bakut, emphasizes that all hands must be on deck to assist the nation to achieve its desired peace. Nigeria cannot afford another difficult circumstance that will further strain the nation’s fragile security situation.
The Director-General cautions promoters of hate and violence to desist from such as Nigeria is not known for fighting inter-religious war. He calls on all relevant authorities to bring the perpetrators to book to serve as deterrent to others, who may want to toe such criminal and violent paths.
