By MONSURU OLOWOOPEJO

An Islamic Group, Rahmat Islamiyya Association has raised the alarm over plan by some religious group to take advantage of the insecurity in Nigeria to cause religious disharmony, using subterfuge to smear one religion against the other.

The group warned that any attempt to smear one religion against the other would further aggravate the insecurity in the country especially in regions that are safe from Boko Haram attacks.

The National Chairman of Rahmat Islamiyya Association, Dr. Abdullahi Awelenje while reacting over a recent religious incident in Osun state where a pastor allegedly used subterfuge to smear Islam, at a press briefing held at the Association’s headquarter, Ikeja.

According to him “on May 18th, 2014 in a church in Ikonifin, Ola-Oluwa Local Government Area, Osun State, a pastor allegedly instigated certain members of his congregation to disguise as Muslims and lit firecrackers during a vigil.

“If these perpetrators had not been caught, the entire South West of the country-Lagos, Ogun, Oyo, Ondo, Ekiti and others-would have been thrown into panic that the Boko Haram group had infiltrated the region,” he added.

Awelenje said this would have led to disaffection between believers of existing religions in the country, saying “Thus promoting religious disharmony in Nigeria.”

The National Chairman of the group however appealled to all religious leaders to allow peace and harmony reign, urging Nigerians to desist from using subterfuge in the battle for religious supremacy. Islam on its own is tolerant of all religions.

On how to address the insecurity in Nigeria, Awelenje said “Vigilance is the price for liberty. The security of the nation begins with everyone becoming vigilant, adding that this is the only way Nigerians can unite in defending the image of Nigeria.

He said that the foreign countries cannot proffer solution to the insecurity in the country because they also have their own local challenges. The solution lies within the country.

The national Chairman of the group said that some of the solution is the recruitment by the Nigerian Army Forces. But he said “the recruitment should center on merit.”

Speaking on the abduction of the over 200 school girls from Chibok Community, Borno State Awelenje urged the Federal Government to adopt all strategies in securing the release of the girls.

His words, “Our immediate concern is to bring back our girls safely. It is our opinion that all options available should be exploited. If you want to catch a monkey, you may have to behave like one. Our security personnel should be tactical to rescue the children alive.”