Follow Us on Google
From Noah Ebije, Kaduna
The Coalition of Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) has condemned in strong term a trending video of an Islamic cleric, making the rounds in which he made inciting and malicious allegations against the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Gen Christopher Musa, and as well profiled his tribal group.
To this end, the CSOs called on the Inspector General of Police and the Director General of the Department of State Security (DSS) not to allow the divisive and inciting video to go uninvestigated, hoping that the law will be brought to bear if the cleric is found guilty in order to serve as a deterrent to others.
Gen Musa had read the outcome of the meeting of ECOWAS Chiefs of Defence Staff on the coup d’tat in Niger Republic and the need for restoration of constitutional democracy, which didn’t seem to go down well with the Cleric.
In reaction, the said Islamic Cleric alleged that France, America and Britain are using Gen. Musa to wage war against Niger, a Muslim country.
Apart from accusing Gen. Musa of unwillingness to terminate banditry in Nigeria, the cleric went on to hatch a conspiracy theory accusing him of being a stooge of the West in the trending video.
The cleric further alleged that the meeting of the Defence Chiefs of ECOWAS which was hosted by Gen. Musa was to pursue an agenda of France, England and the US who he alleged attended the meeting.
One of the allegations stated by the Islamic cleric in the video read, “The leader of Nigeria military, Christopher Musa said that they are ready if given authority. You know that in the military tradition, even if you didn’t say so, whether you are given order or not, you must obey, whether you are capable or not. For saying that we are ready to be given authority, this signifies that he has malicious intention against a community. Do you know where he comes from? He is from Zangon Kataf – a Kataf man!”
However, addressing a press conference on Tuesday, the Coordinator of the CSOs, Nuhu Bahago and the Secretary,
Aishatu Gandu said, “In view of the above unfortunate allegations, we as responsible, law abiding Nigerians of fair minds who believe in truth and justice, must state our position on the issues raised in the video.
“We want to say that the tirade of the clerics is very offensive and clearly calculated to cause grievous harm on the CDS’s image and that of his Kataf people and instigate violence in the country.
“We condemned this act of hate and incitement and we call on relevant authorities to arrest and interrogate the cleric.
“Gen Musa is a fine military officer who has distinguished himself as a polished, thorough professional. As an accomplished, disciplined and loyal soldier, he has submitted himself to civil authority and he is bound by international code of military conduct to obey orders from his Commander-in-Chief. We therefore rebuke all the false and unguarded allegations thrown at him.
“Gen Musa was born and bred in Sokoto, the seat of the Caliphate and is not known to have anything against ethnic group or religion. The aim of the video is to bring him to public odium in the face of Muslim community as one who hates Islam. It is also aimed at courting hate at his tribal group which consequences may imperil thier security and safety.
“Like all ethnic groups in the North, the Kataf have a record of peaceful co-existance much more than for strive with the Muslim communities. Therefore, for the cleric to instigate the Muslim community against the Kataf is most condemnable.
“We call on Gen Musa not to be distracted from his commitment to serve his country and humanity in the manner that has seen his meritorious rise to his present position.
“We want to assure him that the celebration and wide acceptance from the broad section of the country that welcomed his appointment is still intact.
“We call on the Inspector General of Police and the Director General of the DSS not to allow this divisive and inciting video to go uninvestigated. We hope the law will be brought to bear if the cleric is found guilty. This will serve as a deterrent to others.”
