TheNewsGuru

Tag: War

  • Movement Against War in Nigeria

    The Nigerian Civil War, or the Biafran War, is said to have cost about two million lives: mostly civilians; half of them children. The socio-economic cost was huge and continues across generations – even now.

    Nigeria has not recovered from that war. Nigeria cannot survive another civil war.

    Yet, there are growing sounds of war and violence all around. Issues of injustice, inequality, and retrogression abound. The Nigerian government says foreign interests are already taking positions. The global war industry has seen Nigeria as its next cash cow.

    This is how it all begins…and then one day, bloodshed becomes the norm! Every life is disrupted, many die, and even the survivors live a continuous nightmare.

    We say No! All people of goodwill must say No! This platform enables us to discuss the issues but firmly shut the door on any form of violence, talk less of war.

    Welcome to the Movement Against War in Nigeria. Sign the charter HERE and share with others so we can raise a million voices against bloodshed in Nigeria. The previous war must be our last.

     

     

  • U.S. threats of war with North Korea ‘dangerous, short-sighted – Hillary Clinton

    Former U.S. presidential candidate Hillary Clinton on Wednesday said “cavalier” threats to start war on the Korean peninsula were “dangerous and short-sighted”.

    Clinton, however, urged the U.S. to get all parties to the negotiation table.

    Clinton also called on China to take a “more out-front role” in enforcing sanctions against North Korea aimed at curbing its missile and nuclear development.

    “There is no need for us to be bellicose and aggressive over North Korea,” Clinton told the World Knowledge Forum in Seoul, stressing the need for more pressure on North Korea and diplomacy to bring Pyongyang to talks.

    Tension between Pyongyang and Washington has soared following series of weapons tests by North Korea and a string of increasingly bellicose exchanges between U.S. President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un.

    “Picking fights with Kim Jong Un puts a smile on his face,” Clinton said, without mentioning Trump by name.

    Clinton also indirectly referred to Trump’s social media comments on North Korea, saying, “the insults on Twitter have benefited North Korea, I don’t think they’ve benefited the United States”.

    The war of words has seen Trump call the North Korean leader “little rocket man” on a suicide mission, and vow to destroy the country if it threatens the U.S. or its allies.

    In turn, the North called Trump “mentally deranged” and a “mad dog”.

    Talks between the adversaries have long been urged by China in particular, but Washington and its ally, Japan have been reluctant while Pyongyang continues to pursue a goal of developing a nuclear-tipped missile to hit the U.S.

    On Tuesday, Deputy Secretary of State, John J. Sullivan, said the U.S. did not rule out the eventual possibility of direct talks with North Korea.

    The situation on the Korean peninsula was now touch-and-go point and a nuclear war may break out any moment”, North Korea’s Deputy UN Amb. Kim In Ryong had told a UN General Assembly committee on Monday.

    In Seoul, the vice foreign minister said South Korea was considering levying its own sanctions on the North, although no decision had yet been made.

     

    NAN

  • Nigeria won’t witness war again – Oyedepo

    The Presiding Bishop of the Living Faith Church Worldwide Dr. David Oyedepo on Monday said the country will never witness war again despite the agitations in the land.

    The preacher also noted that the country will not disintegrate irrespective of the incessant calls by some aggrieved ethnic groups for secession.

    Oyedepo spoke in a monitored satellite telecast of the church’s prayer session in Jos.

    The cleric led the church in a 30-minute breakfast prayer for the country.

    Bishop Oyedepo said it was made known to him through divine revelation in 1979 while praying for the well-being of the country that Nigeria would never disintegrate.

    “The good news is that Nigeria will rise again to glory,” he assured.

    Bishop Oyedepo led members in prayer for peace and prosperity of the country.

    Prayers were made for God to intervene and direct the government to make policies that would be to the benefit of the people and the country.

    The cleric said: “Nigeria shall not see war; God will visit eternal silence on every religious bigot being used to cause war; there will be no bloodshed in the country.

    “Let Nigeria know peace; make this our independence gift; let every religious manipulator be stopped today.

    “We shall not see war in this country again.

    “God has given us peace today for the economic and industrial revolution of Nigeria as a great nation.

    “No agent of the devil will cause problems for this country.”

     

  • Psquare at war in lawyer’s office [Video]

    Psquare at war in lawyer’s office [Video]

    Nigerian pop-stars, Psquare are at loggerheads again. From the attacks and counter attacks engaged in by the pop -stars, this rift appears to be the eventual end of the Psquare brand.

     

    Earlier today, a video surfaced online where Peter, Paul and Jude were involved in a hot rift, raining curses on one another.

     

    Recall that Peter put an end to speculations when a legal document issued on his behalf by the group’s legal counsellor, Festus Keyamo, circulated online.

     

     

    Peter defended his claims with a series of allegations against his twin brother, Paul and Jude, accusing the latter of threatening his life.

     

    Watch the video below

    https://www.instagram.com/p/BZgFqYsB2O6/?taken-by=thenewsgurung

    READ ALSO: Psquare is no more-Peter Okoye declares

  • Video: Nnamdi Kanu speaks on alleged invasion of his home, says ‘Nigeria is pushing us to war’

    The leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, Nnamdi Kanu on Monday claimed that the Nigerian government is provoking the group to war with the alleged invasion of his country home in Umuahia on Sunday by operatives of the Nigerian Army.

    The IPOB leader spoke while addressing the press on Monday.

    Recalling the event, Kanu claimed the Nigerian Army drove toward his house while shooting indiscriminately at people protesting and asking what they were coming to do.

    He explained that three people were shot and have since been taken to a secure location where they are receiving treatment.

    When asked about his reaction to the police and army’s denial of the attack, Nnamdi Kanu said it was characteristic of the Nigerian Government to lie, and they should not be believed.

    “They want us to become armed, so that the world can say Nnamdi Kanu is leading a violent armed group. Which is not the case.”

    TheNewsGuru.com reports that Army had since denied the invasion insisting its personnel fired warning shots to disperse members of IPOB who lobbed stones and broken bottles against them during a procession in Umuahia, the Abia State capital.

    “The attention of 14 Brigade Nigerian Army has been drawn to fictitious news going round especially on the social media that troops have invaded the home of Nnamdi Kanu and killed three persons.

    “This is far from the truth. Rather, it was a group of suspected IPOB militants that blocked the road against troops of 145 Battalion while on show of force along FMC-Word Bank Road in Umuahia town, Abia State at about 6.00-6.30pm, today. They insisted that the military vehicles would not pass and started pelting the soldiers with stones and broken bottles to the point of injuring an innocent female passerby and a soldier, Corporal Kolawole Mathew.

    “The troops fired warning shots in the air and the hoodlums dispersed. No life was lost,” the Army said in a statement signed by Oyegoke Gbadamosi, a major and assistant deputy spokesperson of the 14 Brigade.

    TheNewsGuru.com reports that Kanu had on Sunday in an interview with newsmen accused the soldiers of storming his home in an armoured tank and about three Hilux vans loaded with heavily armed soldiers.

    He added that the soldiers shot sporadically as they approached his father’s compound, causing panic and among residents of the area.

    Kanu said the soldiers wanted to gain entry into his father’s compound but that IPOB members quickly formed a human shield around the compound and stoutly resisted them.

    Kanu wondered why the army wound wants to invade his home when he had yet to receive any invitation from any security agency.

    He, however, insisted that no amount of intimidation would make him abandon the struggle for Biafra independence.

    In his words: “I was sleeping this evening (Sunday) when suddenly I was woken up by the blaring of sirens. Initially, I thought it was the Commissioner of Police who lives in the neighborhood that was returning home. But the blaring persisted and was followed up by sporadic gun shots.

    “The soldiers wanted to bulldoze their way into the palace but IPOB members formed a human shield and resisted them. They wanted to break the shield and fired at three persons and wounded others before leaving. Everybody including children was running away in confusion.”

    However, in a swift reaction, the Commissioner of Police in the state, Leye Oyebade denied any form of attack on Kanu home. “There was no attack on the home of Nnamdi Kanu,” Oyebade said.

    “What happened was that the military was parading a new armoured carrier and passed through Nnamdi Kanu’s residence.

    “It was while they were passing that some people threw stones and other things at them,” Oyebade explained.

  • Rain of bullets in Anambra Church killings: ‘Death toll of bloody drug war rises to 11’

    The death toll of the tragic Anambra Church killings at St Philip’s Catholic church, Ofufe Nza, Ozubulu in Ekwusigo local government area of Anambra State, when a hooded gunman stormed the church and rained bullets on the congregants, has risen to 11, the police has confirmed.

    Recall TheNewsGuru had earlier published that eight people died, while 18 others sustained various degrees of gunshot injuries, in the Anambra gun church attack.

    The Commissioner of Police in the state, Garba Umar, who provided the update said that the command would leave no turn unturned to bring the attackers to justice.

    Mr. Umar, who spoke at a news conference in Awka, gave the updated figures of casualties as 11 dead and 18 injured.

    The gunman was said to have entered the church while the Parish Priest, Rev. Fr. Jude Onwuaso, was delivering his homily.

    Confirming that the killings in Anambra Church, Ozubulu, was drug crime-related, the Police said intelligence report/preliminary investigation proved that it was a fight between two sons of the community residing outside the country that caused the incident, adding that it was one of the suspected drug barons who built the church in which the incident happened.

    The state governor, Willie Obiano, had earlier also confirmed this, saying he had been briefed by sources in the community that the reason for the killings was as a result of a misunderstanding between two members of the community who live outside the country.

    An eyewitness, Pa Don Ogbuagu, told news men that the gunman actually wanted to assassinate a billionaire son of one of the clan chiefs of Ozubulu, Chief Aloysius Ikegwuonu (a.k.a. Bishop Ebubechukwu-Uzo of Ozubulu).

    Ogbuagu said unfortunately for the gunman, he met his absence. This forced him to storm a church located near the alleged billionaire’s house (St Philips) in search of him but also found he was not there.

    “This angered him to the extent that he opened fire on innocent parishioners, shooting at them indiscriminately. The father of the billionaire was also shot and injured in his hand”, he added.

    Also, a statement by the director of communications, Nnewi diocese, Fr. Hygi Aghualor, confirming the incident noted that those who were injured during the incident are receiving treatment at Nnamdi Azikiwe teaching hospital, Nnewi.

    The statement made available to newsmen also noted that both the state governor, Willie Obiano and the Bishop of the Catholic Diocese, Most Rev Hilary Okeke visited the scene as soon as the incident was reported to them.

    Lamenting over the gruesome killings, Fr. Aghualor said, “It is regrettable that our people are more and more losing sense of the Sacred. What on earth should make people open gun fire on innocent, unarmed worshippers on Sunday morning, including children and women? We condemned this ungodly act in toto.

    “We pray the almighty God to console the families affected and assured them that our hearts are with them as we pray for the quick recovery of the wounded. The governor decided to pick the bills of those in the hospital. The parish priest Rev Father Jude was not harmed. For the entire parishioners, we call on them not to be discouraged in their usual practice of faith.

    “It is when the forces of darkness attempt to over shadow goodness that the light of God shines even brighter than ever just as it happened at the Easter Sunday. Evil may make attempts but God will always triumph. We call on the good people to continue to pray for the deceased worshippers and the families”.

     

     

    It’s unspeakable sacrilege –Buhari

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Sunday condemned the Anambra Catholic church killings.

    In a statement by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, the President described the incident as “an appalling crime against humanity and unspeakable sacrilege.

    “This kind of atrocity plumbs the depth of depravity and extreme cruelty of the kind that words cannot adequately express.”

    According to the President, there is no religion that does not lay constant emphasis on the sanctity of life, adding that “all Nigerians must rise up and speak with one voice against these remorseless evil men.”

    President Buhari also spoke on Sunday on the telephone from his hospital bed in London with Governor Obiano.

    Shehu disclosed this in another statement.

    “The President has just finished speaking to Governor Willie Obiano of Anambra State, in the course of which he commiserated with him, the families of the victims and the citizens of the state,” the statement said.

    Saraki, Ekweremadu lament killings

    President of the Senate, Bukola Saraki; and Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, said the act was evil.

    Saraki in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr. Yusuph Olaniyonu, said killing of the worshippers represented “the purest kind of evil.”

    He said, “This brutal act of attacking innocent worshippers represents the purest kind of evil.

    “Our security forces must not stop until those involved in execution of the massacre are brought to book.’’

    Ekweremadu, in a separate statement by his Special Adviser on Media, Mr. Uche Anichukwu, said the attack was “beastly and sacrilegious.”

    While describing the day as a black Sunday, the Deputy Senate President called on security agencies to fish out the killers.

    He said, “However, this dastardly act brings to the fore, once again, the need to reengineer our security system, to arrest the rising wave of violent crimes in the country.”

    Insecurity reducing Nigeria to the state of nature –Dogara

    The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, described the attack as abominable and the height of wickedness.

    In a statement by the Speaker’s Special Adviser on Media and Public Affairs, Mr. Turaki Hassan, Dogara said, “Have we lost our humanity? Where is the place of sanctity of life and sacredness of worship places in our society? What offence did the worshippers commit to warrant their massacre by wicked souls and heartless men?”

    The Speaker reiterated his call for the overhaul of Nigeria’s policing architecture that would lead to reform of the police force, adding that equipping the police with modern gadgets would allow them to discharge their duties of protecting lives and property effectively.

    Mindless attack taken too far–Okowa

    Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta State described the attack as mindless.

    Okowa said it was condemnable for anyone to take his anger on a church which was supposed to be a place of refuge.

    A statement by the governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Charles Aniagwu, noted that the tragic incident was unwarranted.

    The statement said the attack was a desecration of the temple of God, adding that the Church should be a place of refuge and devoid of attacks even in war.

    He said, “This unwarranted attack and mindless bloodletting is not only wicked, but barbaric and must be condemned by all good men of conscience.”

    PDP condemns killings

    The Peoples Democratic Party on Sunday said it was in shock over the attack.

    The party, in a statement by its spokesman, Dayo Adeyeye, described the invasion as barbaric and a serious indication that “our society is fast degenerating into a state of anomie with total moral collapse and utter disregard for the sanctity of human life.”

    Adeyeye said the killings was a call for moral rearmament by all and sundry, adding that it was a wake-up call for the government to do more in the area of protection of lives and property.

    It is barbaric, says APC

    The All Progressives Congress said on Sunday that the attack was barbaric.

    The party, in a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, called on security agencies to ensure that the perpetrators “of this heinous crime are brought to justice.’’

    “The APC condemns the barbarism displayed by the callous attackers who gunned down defenceless people while they worshiped,” the statement added.

    Abdullahi also called on security agents in Anambra, as well as other parts of the country to provide adequate security in places of worship to forestall a repeat of “this unfortunate incident.”

    S/East govs forum demands probe

    The South-East Governors Forum on Sunday demanded a “proper investigation” into the attack on the Catholic Church.

    The Chairman of the forum and Governor of Ebonyi State, David Umahi, in a statement said a proper investigation must be conducted to unravel the true cause of the carnage.

    He said, “I, on behalf of the South-East Governors Forum, condemn the killings recorded in the church, It shows how wicked our generation is. I call on security agencies to unravel the true cause of the carnage.”

    Address proliferation of arms –CAN

    The Christian Association of Nigeria also condemned the killings.

    CAN President, Dr Supo Ayokunle, said the attack was unwarranted and urged security agencies to bring the perpetrators to justice.

    Ayokunle in a statement, said, “I urge the Federal Government, through the Inspector-General of Police, Ibrahim Idris, to address the issue of proliferation of arms and ammunition to make our world safer.

    “The perpetrators of this ungodly act must be brought to book without delay.”

    Also, the youth wing of CAN blamed the attack on lapses in security.

    The National President of YOWICAN, Daniel Kadzai, in a statement, said, “This attack was made possible as a result of what we consider a deliberate shirking of responsibilities by the state security agencies.

    “We demand the arrest of perpetrators of this terrorist-style crime within the next 48 hours. If the state security apparatuses do not stand up to this challenge, YOWICAN will have no choice but to take up this matter using a much strenuous approach.’’

  • Renewed attacks: Osinbajo orders more push in war against Boko Haram

    …as

    …Air Force deploys Special Forces

    …AU, UN, ECOWAS back govt

    Sequel to the renewed and coordinated attacks by the Boko Haram insurgents, the Acting President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo on Sunday ordered for more aggressive push by the military against the insurgents.

    This development has led to the deployment of Special Forces to join hands with the military in the battle against the insurgents in Borno State.

    TheNewsGuru.com reports that men of the Special Forces are trained to undertake difficult tasks.

    TheNewsGuru.com reports that there was a recent resurgence in the attacks by Boko Haram’s following last week’s ambush of an oil exploration convoy in which almost 50 people are believed to have been killed.

    The army, which last week announced the recovery of 10 bodies, including those of one officer and nine soldiers, said yesterday it had recovered 21 more bodies, arms and ammunition from the ambush site.

    Army spokesman Brig.-Gen. Sani Kukasheka Usman, in a statement at the weekend, said:

    “So far the search and rescue team has recovered additional bodies of five soldiers, 11 members of the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF) and five members of the exploration team.

    “Contrary to reports in some media, six out of the 12 members of the exploration team that went out are still missing, while one of the NNPC staff returned to base alive.”

    Gen. Usman, who described the incident as “unfortunate”, said that the error in the statement issued by the army on the rescue mission was not “deliberate”.

    “The incident of 25th July 2017, where Boko Haram insurgents ambushed our troops, including members of the CJTF, escorting some staff of the NNPC as well as that of University of Maiduguri (UNIMAID) on oil exploration in Yesu District of Magumeri Local Government Area of the state is unfortunate and highly regrettable.

    “Most regrettable also is my earlier release on the said incident about the rescue of all NNPC staff. The error in the statement was not deliberate.”

    The Army had earlier claimed to have rescued all the abducted university personnel.

    UNMAID Vice Chancellor Prof. Ibrahim Njodi said the army recovered only five bodies and that four of its staff were still missing.

    The spokesman said the army had redoubled efforts in the pursuit of the insurgents to rescue the abducted personnel.

    “Search and rescue is still ongoing to secure the safe return of the remaining civilians.

    “The Nigerian Army condoles with the families of all that lost their loved ones in this unfortunate incident,” the statement said.

    According to him, the army has recovered three of its gun trucks from the insurgents, in addition to four Rocket Propelled Grenade (RPG), four RPG chargers, six AK-47 rifles, one Anti-Aircraft Gun, one General Purpose Machine Gun, one Anti-Aircraft Gun Barrel, one RPG tube, four dane guns, eight tyres and two rims.

    Other items recovered include one pumping machine gun, two tyre jacks, one super battery, five reflective jackets, three Toyota Hilux, four jerry cans filled with petrol, one Motorola radio, one Geographical Positioning System (GPS), 21 empty jerry cans, two shovels and three food coolers.

    Troops also recovered 122 rounds of PKM ammunition, 213 rounds of 7.62mm NATO ammunition, 1255 Anti-Aircraft Guns ammunition, four boxes of API 12.7mm ammunition, one AK-47 Rifle Magazine, a digger, two bows and 13 Arrows, two LLG bombs, assorted drugs and working tools.

    “We are counting on the goodwill and support of the populace in volunteering valuable information that could help in the search and rescue operation”.

    Director of Public Relations and Information (NAF) of the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) Air Commodore Olatokunbo Adesanya, speaking on the action taken, said: “The measures include the deployment of additional NAF Special Forces and personnel of the Regiment Specialty to reinforce Base security and also fight alongside the Nigerian Army troops and NAF Special Forces that were already on ground.

    “In addition, the NAF has deployed thermal imaging cameras aimed at adding more value to the current efforts at detecting and checkmating the activities of suicide bombers before they carry out their suicide missions.

    “The thermal imaging camera uses infrared and reads temperature differences up to an appreciable distance away and can identify a person at an acceptable distance. The cameras, which are mounted on NAF aircraft, can also penetrate obscurants, such as smoke, fog and haze.

    “The NAF, in recent times, has stepped up its counterinsurgency operations to further decimate the ability of Boko Haram Terrorists (BHTs) in the North East. The focus has largely been the conduct of Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) missions as well as interdiction missions on identified BHT targets.

    “This is in addition to range of other air operations and humanitarian intervention schemes aimed at winning the heart and minds of the populace in the conflict areas. The NAF remains appreciative of the support it is enjoying from Nigerians in its efforts at putting an end to the madness in the North East Geopolitical Zone of our country.

     

  • Biafra: Those calling for war in Nigeria have not witnessed one – Obasanjo

    Biafra: Those calling for war in Nigeria have not witnessed one – Obasanjo

    …backs calls for restructuring

    Former President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo has reinstated his believe and support for the unity of the country despite its cultural and ethnical diversity.

    The former Nigerian leader noted that staging a breakup won’t save Nigeria from its present challenges until the citizens change their mentality.

    Obasanjo spoke at an event on Thursday in Lagos.

    Obasanjo said if he had a magic wand, “I would make one wish that God should change our mentality; I believe that is the problem of this country.”

    He advised Nigerians not to be deceived by those calling for war, noting that they had not witnessed one before.

    The former President went on to state that his wish was for the country to remain as one.

    “Anybody who thinks Nigeria is going to be breaking up is wrong”, he said.

    He, however, stressed that the recent clamours for restructuring were legitimate.

    “We need to do more about the equity of this country. We need to see ourselves as our brother’s keepers. We need to share our natural God-given resources together,” he said.

    TheNewsGuru.com reports that the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, had earlier issued a statement that the former Nigeria leader will die if he dares stops him and other agitators from achieving Biafra.

    TheNewsGuru.com reports that IPOB had also alleged that the former president was planning to assassinate its leader, Nnamdi Kanu.

     

  • Eid-el-Fitr: Voices calling for war must be condemned

    Eid-el-Fitr: Voices calling for war must be condemned

    …Says Nigeria remains a unified entity

    Former governor of Lagos State and national leader of the ruling All Progressives Congress APC, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, has urged Nigerians to declare support for the unity and genuine integration of all Nigerians under one flag, in one indivisible nation.

    Tinubu made the call in his Eid-el-Fitri message to Nigerians, entitled “The Spirit, Strength of Our Diversity, ” in Lagos.

    He condemned the call for violence or issuing of quit notice by some Nigerians to fellow Nigerians, saying that the voices calling for secession and break-up are wrong and should not be followed.

    “Voices calling for violence must be roundly condemned for it is wrong to incite brother to go against brother and neighbour to combat neighbour.

    “However, in the spirit of understanding, we must listen to the genuine concerns of our fellow Nigerians.

    “This is in order for us to make ourselves a stronger, more unified and prosperous nation built on a foundation of dialogue and collective purpose.

    “We must join hands in order to bring progress. We must decide whether our diversity shall be our strength or our weakness. It is for us and no one else to determine, ” he said.

    Tinubu, however, said that the lessons of the holy month of Ramadan point to the success of unity, not the failure of division.

    He said the spirit of sacrifice, self discipline, goodwill, justice, tolerance, mercy, forgiveness and compassion inherent in the Ramadan Fast should remain with Muslim faithful to guide their day-to-day interactions and relationships with one another.

    “’For all Muslim brothers and sisters and indeed for all Nigerians, may this be a happy and peaceful Eid-el-Fitri.

    “The holy month of Ramadan has now passed, but we dare not allow the spirit and the true meaning behind the holy month also pass.

    “ We must keep hold of the excellent and wonderful things the holy month of Ramadan signifies. Ramadan is more than a month of fasting. We fast to strengthen our relationship and our appreciation of Allah.

    “In this spirit also, we must face the travails that confront our nation; as people led by the spirit and strength of our diversity, togetherness and charity towards all.

    “Let us move in this way, so that we may make of ourselves a better people and nation in which all people, Muslim and non-Muslim, may live in trust, peace and justice as Allah would have it be, ” Tinubu said.

     

  • Stop beating drums of war – FG warns Nigerians

    Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed has admonished those beating drums of war through hate speeches and divisive statements to desist in the interest of the nation’s unity and safety.

    The minister gave the advise on Saturday at the “Lai Mohammed 10th Annual Ramadan Lecture” held in his country home, Oro, Kwara.

    Lai Mohammed expressed concerns over the rate of inflammatory statements capable of causing division and war in the country in recent times.

    He urged Nigerians to disregard those who were engaged in hate speeches as well as their purveyors.

    “In the last couple of months, we have witnessed the increase inflammatory and hate speeches.

    “Hate speeches have been responsible for wars. Rwandan genocide where more than 800,000 people were killed was started by hate speeches.

    “Like people say, wars are not really started by bullets, they are started by words of mouth.

    “Nigeria is too big and God has a purpose for making us one and we shall remain united.

    “There will be differences, but like the Yoruba says, “Ori bibe ko ni ogun ori fifo” (beheading is not antidote to headache).

    “We have been living together peacefully and we will continue to live together, because we have a lot to gain by being united.

    “If there is war today, none of us will escape whether you are young or old whether you are Yoruba, Igbo of Hausa ,” he said.

    The Minister recounted a story he said Acting President Yemi Osinbajo narrated on the dire consequences of the Rwanda war on two judges from that country.

    “The Acting President told us a story that in 1982, he was a young lecturer in the University of Lagos and two Supreme Court Judges came visiting from Rwanda.

    “He said ten years later, in 1992, he went to work in Rwanda and on the street with a bowl in hand looking for food were the Supreme Court Judges that he saw in Lagos.

    “This shows that when there is war, the young, the old, the rich and the poor, we are all victims,” he said.

    The Minister stressed that Nigerians must work together, understand their differences and must never pray for war.

    Mohammed thanked those who attended the lecture noting that their presence was key to its success.

    He said the Ramadan lecture, the tenth in the series, was unique because it’s attendance cuts across religions and denomination.

    The Minister explained that the presence of Christian faithfuls at the event was an indication that Nigerians, irrespective of their religious leaning, could work and live together.