the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) has condemned the murder of worshipers at a church in Owo, Ondo state, on Sunday.
The body in a statement on Monday said the attack is not only a crime against humanity but also a “serious and inexplicable sin.”
“All peoples of faith must take this attack as a direct attack on all law-abiding citizens and therefore must be in the forefront to stop the evil that appears to be attacking the life, property and integrity of humanity, particularly believers in God. ” reads the statement signed by Zubairu Usman-Ugwu, the Managing Director.
“The Council also calls on governments at all levels to issue and pursue an ultimatum for security agencies to unravel the identity and bring to justice the perpetrators of the violation of the sanctity of not only life but also of religions.
More than 70 people were killed and injured after gunmen fired on worshipers and detonated explosives during a Pentecost mass.
Police said the assailants approached the church during mass and began shooting while about four others fired directly at worshipers.
Read the NSCIA statement below:
ATTACK ON ST. FRANCISCO CATHOLIC CHURCH, OWO, ONDO STATE
The Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), under the leadership of its Chairman General and Sultan of Sokoto, His Eminence, Alh. Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, CFR, mni, condemns in the strongest terms the heinous attack on St. Francis Catholic Church, Owo, Ondo State, where many innocent worshipers were horribly killed and several others seriously injured. It is a crime not only against humanity, but also a serious and inexplicable sin.
All peoples of faith must take this attack as a direct attack on all law-abiding citizens and therefore must be in the forefront to stop the evil that appears to be attacking life, property and the integrity of the humanity, in particular believers in God.
The Council also calls on governments at all levels to issue and pursue an ultimatum for security agencies to unravel the identity and bring to justice the perpetrators of the violation of the sanctity of not only life but also of religions.
Security agents, who have been hired to combat crime and insecurity, are obliged to heed the Koranic call that:… Because if God did not control one group of people through another; the monasteries, churches, synagogues and mosques, in which the name of God is persistently mentioned, would surely have been torn down. Verily, God will help those who help his (Cause) of him. Truly, God is Almighty, Almighty. (P22:40)
Therefore, it is mandatory for the security agencies to help rescue the defenseless citizens that we have all become.
The Council stands in absolute solidarity with the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), the Catholic community, the government and the people of Ondo State and sympathizes with the families of the victims in this period of immeasurable agony and anguish.
May Allah grant us peace and security in our nation. Amin!
Bow. Zubairu Haruna Usman-Ugwu Managing Director
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