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When Boko Haram was being packaged in Maiduguri by a Muslim religious leader known as Muhammad Yusuf, many, including security agencies, never envisaged what would become of the it in the future and the gravity of the violence it would later unleash on parts of the country, especially the North. At that time, Commissioner of Police, Chri Dega was in charge of Borno state while Ogbonnaya Onovo was the Inspector-General of Police and I was the Managing Editor of the police security newspaper, The Dawn. I had traveled to Maiduguri on invitation of Dega to interview some arrested members of the Islamic set at the police headquarters. On my arrival, three arrested members of the set were being interrogated by the investigative unit of the police. Their defiant posture was baffling, almost similar to the posture of notorious armed robbers I had interviewed while in Lagos, check my book (THE DARK CLOUD: CONFESSIONS OF NOTORIOUS ARMED ROBBERS IN NIGERIA). The set members under interrogation remained unbowed and uncowed despite death threats from the interrogators. The Boko Haram members appeared mean and heartless and I’m talking of young men between the ages of 19 and 25. The only language they spoke was Hausa. My deduction after the long interrogation was that if the activities of the set were not nipped in the bud, Nigeria was going to face big troublem and it indeed came to pass.
Most of the problem Nigeria has been facing since independence has been religious, political, bad governance and economic downturns. It is important to note, according to Karl Marx that “Religion is the Opium of the masses”. Misuse of religion, including indoctrination has caused a lot of problems for Nigeria, often resulting in the wanton destruction of lives and property as could be gleaned from the murderous activities of Boko Haram, ISWAP, Fulani bandits, Ansaru and other Islamic insurgents in Nigeria. Boko Haram followers, for example, believe in an adulterated Islamic doctrine which gives right to dogmatism. They want to force their brand of Islam on innocent people- muslims and non muslims alike. And this is the reason they slaughter people in the name of their (Allah) and believe they have done what is expected of them by their religion. They believe that when they die they would joyfully be rewarded with many virgins in heaven. To achieve all these religious goals, members of the set are ready to sacrifice good life for hard life, including living in the forest or mountains.
Very few muslim leaders and clerics criticize or condemn the activities of the insurgents, probably for the fear of attacks. The same scenario is now playing out in Christian circles where fake pastors are springing up everywhere, dishing out fake prophecies and misleading gullible Christians. The truth is that by omission or commission, religion and religious leaders have become, and are being used as tools of insecurity and crime in the country. For instance a pastor in Plateau State was recently arrested for allegedly leading a child trafficking syndicate. Police say he and others abducted vulnerable children for illegal adoption and forced labour. Maybe the children were abducted to eventually obtain ransom from their parents . In Anambra state, eight fake pastors were apprehended and are currently facing trial for staging fake miracles. The activities of fake and real religious leaders could create a riotous situation in communities which can snowball into security threats.
Fake religious leaders are more dangerous than corrupt politicians because they present a counterfeit version of the personality of the deity they deify, they mismanage the spiritual hunger of their followers and instead feed them with indoctrination, manipulations and lies thus totally brainwashing them with the intent to exploit and extort.
According to a notable quotes, “a false prophet speaks for profit, not for truth.” Also another quote says “religion without sincerity becomes deception.” In the Bible- Mathew 7:15 says, “beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.” Qur’an 2:8 says “among mankind are those who say, ‘We believe in Allah and the Last Day,’ but they are not believers.”
Security hints
Due to the high rate of insecurity around the country, Security File in partnership with security agencies hereby publishes security numbers for the benefit of members of the public. Security agents can be alerted, via the numbers, vital information on the activities of criminals, bandits and terrorists. Sch information should anonymously be sent to any of these numbers as it relates to the crime:
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1. Police: 07031179186
2. NDLEA: 080010203040
3. EFCC: 08093322644
My sweet mother goes home
As I was writing these column in the service of my fatherland, my phone rang and it was the voice of my only sister, Mrs. Ngozi Madubuko. She solemnly and emotionally announced thus: “Mama has gone home. I went to her room greeted her and noticed she was not responding, I went close and Lo and behold she was silent. Mama has gone home, she is dead!”
My 98 year old mother,Mrs. Irene Mgbechikwere Okezie is dead My number 1 prayer Warrior . May her gentle and good soul rest in peace. She has gone the way destined for all souls!
