The Interfaith Mediation Centre (IMC) has called on Nigerians, particularly religious adherents, to shun religious-motivated tension and conflicts in the interest of peaceful coexistence in the country.
Director of Communication, Interfaith Mediation Centre, Kaduna, Hayatu Ashafa, made the call in a statement on Thursday in Kaduna.
Ashafa said the attention of the Community Action Peace Network (CPAN) of the IMC, alongside Conflict Mitigation Management Regional Council (CMMRC), Community Peace Observers (CPOs), the Forum with Media on Peace Journalism and Network of Religious Leaders, has been drawn to a certain security report.
He said, having received the recent report by the DSS that plans are in place to destabilize the peace in some locations around the country, it has become necessary to make the appeal.
“The IMC, under the Community Initiatives to Promote Peace (CIPP) programme is appealing for calm and calling on all stakeholders, to ensure that we promote the ideals of our religions to promote peace and live in unity with one another.
“We are calling on all Nigerians to desist and avoid any form of incitement, propagation of violent conflicts in our dear nation and condemn any plan that will jeopardize the peace in our respective communities.
“The centre wants people of faith to help create an atmosphere where present and future generations will co-exist with mutual respect and trust with one another,” he said.
Ashafa also called on stakeholders to refrain from incitement and imbibe the culture of peaceful co-existence in harmony.
He called on religious leaders to use their pulpits to admonish their followers on the values of peace, love, compassion and respect for human life as well as dignity, irrespective of religious and tribal affiliations.