The Sultan of Sokoto-led Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) has condemned the heinous attack on St. Francis Catholic Church, Owo, Ondo State, where many worshippers were killed.
The Sultan of Sokoto and President-General of the Council, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar III, made the condemnation in a statement by Mr Zubairu Usman-Ugwu, the Head of administration of NSCIA, on Monday in Abuja.
He said that the attack was a crime not only against humanity but also a grievous and inexplicable sin, adding that all people of faith should take the attack as a direct attack on all law abiding citizens.
The Sultan called on citizens to be in the vanguard to halt the evil that appeared to be assailing the life, property and integrity of humanity, particularly believers in God.
“The Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs under the leadership of its President-General and Sultan of Sokoto, Sa’ad Abubakar III, condemns in the strongest
terms, the heinous attack on St. Francis Catholic Church, Owo, Ondo State.
“The Council calls on governments at all levels to issue and pursue an ultimatum for the security agencies to unravel the identity and bring to book the perpetrators of the violation of sanctity of not only life but also religion.
“The security agents, who have been engaged to combat criminality and insecurity are enjoined to heed the Qur’anic call that:
“For had it not been that God checks one set of people by means of another; monasteries, churches, synagogues, and mosques, wherein the name of God is persistently mentioned would surely have been pulled down.
“Verily, God will help those who help His (cause). truly, God is All-Strong, All-Mighty. (Q 22: 40). It is therefore mandatory for security agencies to help in rescuing the helpless citizens that we have all become,” the statement quoted him as saying
The Sultan said that the council stood in absolute solidarity with the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), the Catholic community, the government, people of Ondo State and commiserates with families of the victims in this period of immeasurable agony and distress.
“May Allah grant us peace and security in our nation. Amin,” he said. (NAN)