By Chuks Oyema-Aziken
The swift intervention of the Oyo State Command of the Department of State Services (DSS) has averted crisis following burning of the Quran by a Traditionalist in Oyo town.
It followed the earlier proposal by some Islamic Clerics’ to establish Sharia Court in the town.
Highly-placed sources told a select group of editors that the DSS in both cases were balanced, proactive, and done to douse tensions.
Both incidents which were of national security concern, fall within the purview and mandate of the Secret Service.
According to the sources, the swift intervention of the Service prevented the escalation of the matter beyond the public uproar which it generated within the social media space.
It was gathered that, shortly after the Islamic Clerics announced plans to establish Sharia Court in the ancient town of Oyo in Oyo State, the State Command of the SSS invited them for an “Interview”.
During the interview session, the proponents were made aware of the fact that only the Constitution, can guarantee the establishment of a Court anywhere in Nigeria.
It was gathered that the decision of the Clerics’ to drop the plan was made shortly after the sensitisation by the Service.
In a similar measure, the DSS arrested the Traditionalist, who openly burnt the Quran, and uploaded it on the social media.
Speaking on the condition of anonymity, one of the competent sources said: “Contrary to some misguided insinuations in some quarters, the Oyo Command of the DSS dealt with the two situations equally.
“In fact, the balancing act doused the volatile situations, thereby preventing potential ethno-religious crisis, which would have threatened national security.
“That the Clerics later retracted and published the retraction in some national dailies, is the covert intervention work of the SSS.
“Prior to the retraction, they were invited for an Interview at the Service’s Command Headquarters in Ibadan, the Oyo State Capital.
“During the session, they were made aware of the fact that the establishment of a Court is a Constitutional matter, hence no individual or group can decide on it”.
On the arrest of the Traditionalist seen burning the Quran, another competent source said to underscore the seriousness of the situation, plans have been concluded to arraign the suspect in court for prosecution on offences bordering on possible incitement, disturbance of public peace and threat to national security.
According to the source: “It’s unfortunate the way and manner people reacted to this incident that is a clear case of threat to national security, unity and cohesion.
“If you listen to the video, which was made in Yoruba language, you would here the suspect inciting the public by boasting that there will be no consequence for the action.
“Now, which intelligence agency worth its name will allow such brazen crime to happen without acting in a swift and timely manner, as the Oyo Command of the Service did?
“No responsible intelligence agency anywhere in the world would fold its arms and allow a situation that touches on national security, public peace and safety to degenerate without nipping same in the bud.
“The argument of secularism advanced by some people on social media is wrong-headed and at best a case of ignorance of the law, which flies in the face of reason and common sense.
“A careful look at the Instrument establishing the DSS, also known as the State Security Service (SSS) will show that as the lead domestic intelligence agency in the country, the institution is saddled with the responsibility of detecting and preventing crimes against the state, be it terrorism, subversion, insurrection, public disorder and the like”.
Another source stated thus: “Nigerians must desist from letting emotions and sentiments drive narratives and public discourses.
“It is unthinkable that anyone in his right senses will speak against the prompt arrest of the man, who burnt the Quran.
“But for the efforts of the DSS, the situation would have degenerated to a point where youths of a particular region would have carried out attacks on people with different religious belief.
“The Oyo State Command of the DSS should be commended for its swift and response, which prevented an escalation of the incident.
“The DSS is not driven by any factor other than professionalism, patriotism, national spirit and the need to protect national security from violation.
“I can assure you that the suspect will have his day in court once investigation, which has reached an advanced stage, is concluded”.
