The Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) has called on the Boko Haram insurgents to accept the amnesty offered by the Federal Government and stop further spilling of blood and wanton destruction of property.

Addressing the press after its National Executive Council meeting held Tuesday at the National headquarters of the Jama’atu Nasril Islam (JNI) in Kaduna, NSCIA’s new Secretary General, Prof. Ishaq Oloyede, also called on the Federal Government to call to order those making inflammatory statement on the 2015 elections.

His words: “The Council calls on the insurgents to accept the amnesty that may be offered by the Federal Government and stop further spilling of blood and wanton destruction of property. The Federal Government, should as a matter of urgency, call to order those making inflammatory statements on the forth coming elections, so that the fragile peace in the country will not be jeopardised.

“The Council strongly condemns the Baga and Bama massacre as heinous crimes against humanity, and calls upon the FG to immediately set up a judicial commission of inquiry to ensure that justice is done. The Councils frowns at the continual failure of the state and FG to implement the white paper of their commissions/panels of inquiry on various ethno-religious crises and conflicts in the country.

“The Council calls on the FG to act immediately to restore normalcy and ensure enduring peace and security by re settling and protecting Muslims that have been unjustly displaced in crisis ridden areas including Tafawa Balewa in Bauchi state, scores of villages in Wase local government in Plateau state as well as in Southern Kaduna where Muslims had been massively massacred sequel to the 2011 general elections.”

The communiqué also called on the FG and well-meaning Nigerians to restrain those hell bent on exterminating Muslims in Wukari and Tafawa Balawe, while calling on Muslims to shun corruption and stand up to fight it.

“The Council urges all Nigerians to join hands with the FG and other well-meaning Nigerians regardless of religion or geopolitical affiliations, to fight corruption. The Council states unequivocally that the Hijab is a religious obligation for Muslim ladies, as such; government agencies and private organisations should forthwith stop the harassment and persecution of Muslim ladies on the account of observing it,” it said.

“The Council also calls on the FG and particularly the members of its committees on Dialogue and Peace Resolution of the security challenges in the North and the small arms and light weapons, to as a matter of integrity and prosperity, demonstrate the sincerity and commitment on the issue with a view to winning the confidence of all right thinking Nigerians,” the communiqué added.

It also called on Muslims to shun all sorts of divisive tendencies and utterances, while imploring scholars to adopt a good method of preaching in order to foster and promote unity among the Ummah.

The Council appointed a 13-man electoral college headed by the Shehu of Borno, Shehu Abubakar Ibn Umar Garbai El-Kanemi, to consider nominated members and recommend new officers that will fill the vacant positions in the Council.

Those in attendance include principal officers of the Council, leadership of major national Islamic organisations, delegates from all states of the Federation and the FCT, leading Emirs, Oba’s and Chiefs as well as a cross section of Ulama, Imams and notable Muslims in the country.

•Photo shows NSCIA Secretary General, Prof. Ishaq Oloyede.

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