Dubious persons trying to start religious war through social media - Senate
- Senator Dino Melaye says some persons are using the cyber space to post dangerous pictures under with the claim that the violence occurred in Southern Kaduna
- Malaye warns that those posting such videos and pictures are trying to set religious leaders against themselves
- Senate president, Bukola Saraki, urges the relevant agencies to go after those posting nonexistent and inciting videos and pictures about Nigeria on the social media
The Nigerian Senate has warned against the posting of videos and pictures that could trigger religious crisis and war in the country.
READ ALSO: Stop killing of Christians in Kaduna: CAC church tells FG
The warning followed a point of order raised by the chairman, committee on Federal Capital Territory, Senator Dino Melaye, at plenary on Tuesday, January 24, The Punch reports.
Melaye raised the order in reaction to photographs of killings from other countries, allegedly posted on the social media, under the guise that they took place in Southern Kaduna.
He said some persons were using the cyber space to post dangerous pictures which Muslim and Christian preachers have been reacting to.
“This ugly development is a recipe for religious crisis and war and I feel it is necessary for the Senate to pass a note of warning to those using our cyber space to post dangerous pictures.’’
He accused those posting such videos and pictures of trying to set religious leaders against themselves.
Melayes added that the preachers, without carrying out adequate research had resorted to hate speeches that could trigger war in the country.
He cautioned that if not curtailed on time, the situation could lead to crisis that would further deepen the negative effect of recession on Nigerians.
READ ALSO: Christians cannot allow themselves to be killed - Onaiyekan
In his remarks, Senate president, Bukola Saraki, commended Melaye for drawing the attention of the senate to the looming crisis being instigated by dubious use of the social media.
He appealed for the responsible use of the social media and noted that the Senate will not tolerate the use of internet to engender crisis
Saraki also called on relevant agencies to go after those posting nonexistent and inciting videos and pictures about Nigeria on the social media.
In a related development, the national president of the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN) Dr. Felix Omobude has also declared that there is no written law that stops Christians from defending themselves against violence allegedly being perpetrated against them by Fulani herdsmen.
He said the body however called for restraints in the face of aggression, saying that the “nation will be in chaos if we all don’t exercise restraint.’’
Omobude, who called on the security agencies to be alert and protect people’s lives, said communities might be forced to defend themselves against aggression if help isn’t forthcoming from the security agencies.
Source: Legit.ng
