An Islamic group, the Muslim Coalition on National Unity, Peace and Security (MCNUPS), has warned religious leaders in the country to be careful of their utterances over the violent activities in parts of the country so as not to further fan the embers of discord among the various ethnic and religious groups in the nation.

The MCNUPC, comprising Conference of Islamic Organisations (CIO), the Lagos State Muslim Council and other notable Islamic organisations, central mosques, Arabic schools and eminent Islamic scholars, gave the warning in a communiqué released after its members met on Friday at the Lagos Central Mosque over the state of the nation.

According to the communiqué, the meeting, presided over by the Chief Imam of Lagos, Alhaji Garuba Akinola (OON), also charged the Federal Government to compensate families of those who lost their lives in the major bombing incidents that occurred in the country.

Signed by the head of the Communiqué Drafting Committee of the MCNUPC, Luqman AbdurRaheem, the communiqué noted that, “The congregation prayed for the nation in general and Lagos State in particular.”

Thereafter, the stakeholders reviewed the series of killings of innocent Muslims and Christians by insurgent groups, especially Boko Haram, in Nigeria.

At the end of the strategic brainstorming, the stakeholders were unanimous on the following:

“That fervent prayers and sincere repentance by the leaders and followers are potent tools for curbing the criminal insurgency threatening peace and unity in Nigeria. Today’s special Jumat and prayers are reflection of these commitments. This is part of our support for the Federal Government of Nigeria. That the Muslim Ummah in Nigeria is sincerely and patriotically committed to the unity and continued corporate existence of Nigeria.

“The current violence in Nigeria is fueled by poverty, unemployment, bad governance, moral cum economic corruption, frustration and political maneuverings of selfish elites, not Islam or Christianity. Enemies of peace use religion as a tool to cause rift, raise emotion and recruit foot soldiers among hopeless and pauperised masses.

“That the series of bombings of people, properties, mosques, churches, markets, police stations, UN office and other places linked to the Boko Haram sect are actions that are inhuman, wicked, satanic, condemnable and totally antithetical to the principles of peace, tolerance and decorum preached by Islam and other divine religions.

“The current tit-for-tat; burning of churches and mosques, reprisal attacks on other ethnic nationalities in different parts of Nigeria; call on Yoruba, Igbo and Hausa to leave their duty posts/locations and the misguided threat by overzealous religious associations constitute serious threat to the continued corporate existence of Nigeria.”