“Lest I am misunderstood, let me repeat: the insurgents, who delude themselves as Muslims whereas they are nothing more than blood-thirsty, rapacious killers who subscribe to no religion, have recently started targeting Christians with a view to sowing the seed of confusion between the two great religions.”
This is something we hear all the time from leaders all over the world, Muslim and non-Muslim. Meanwhile, Boko Haram and other jihad groups continue to insist not only that they are Muslims, but that they’re operating strictly according to Islamic principles. What is Lai Mohammed doing to sway young Nigerian Muslims who are attracted to Boko Haram away from the group, and to convince them that their understanding of Islam is wrong? Does the Nigerian government have a program to do that? Are mosques in Nigeria doing that?
The answers are Nothing, No, and No. Now, why is that? What are the implications of that? No one dares consider them. But the problem of jihadis recruiting peaceful Muslims by appealing to them on Islamic grounds isn’t just going to disappear if we pretend it isn’t a problem, and keep on telling ourselves that Islam is a religion of peace.
“Lai: Boko Haram targeting Christians to trigger religious war, The Cable, February 27, 2020:
Lai Mohammed, minister of information, says Boko Haram is targeting Christians in an attempt to trigger a religious war in the country.
Recently, the insurgents killed Lawan Andimi, chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in Michika, Adamawa state, and Ropvil Dalep, a student of the University of Maiduguri and a member of the Church of Christ in Nations (COCIN) among others in attacks perceived to be against Christians.
Addressing a press conference on Thursday, Mohammed said the insurgents have now realised how divisive religion could be when exploited.
The minister said although Boko Haram has also not stopped attacking Muslims, it seems to now“have a deliberate policy of attacking Christians.”
According to him, this strategy is coming after a renewed onslaught by “our tireless military against Boko Haram and their ISWAP allies in recent times.”
“They have started targeting Christians and Christian villages for a specific reason, which is to trigger a religious war and throw the nation into chaos,” he said.
“Apparently, they have realized how emotive and divisive religion can be, when exploited by unscrupulous persons.
“Lest I am misunderstood, let me repeat: the insurgents, who delude themselves as Muslims whereas they are nothing more than blood-thirsty, rapacious killers who subscribe to no religion, have recently started targeting Christians with a view to sowing the seed of confusion between the two great religions.
“This did not in any way signify that they have stopped attacking Muslims. But they seem to now have a deliberate policy of attacking Christians. Some have misinterpreted this to insinuate a systematic campaign to persecute Christians in Nigeria….