…Says, it’s sad some Nigerians are interpreting crimes on basis of religion, ethnicity
A group on the aegis of ‘Concerned Arewa Youth Council’ (CACY), has expressed serious concerns that many Nigerians are still interpreting crimes through the prism of religion and ethnicity rather than as violations of the law.
CACY therefore warned Nigerians against spreading allegations capable of undermining national security, just as it described as “irresponsible and harmful” the narrative suggesting that the Director General of the Department of State Service (DSS), ordered arrests based on religious identities.
It further said that such tendencies allow criminal elements in communities to evade justice while innocent citizens suffer the consequences.
CACY which stated these against the backdrop of insinuations in some quarters that the DG of the DSS, Oluwatosin Adeola Ajayi, is religiously biased in the agency’s arrest pattern, stressed the need to draw a parallel between security and religious concerns.
Spokesperson of the group, Abdulsamad Ibrahim, told journalists at a media briefing that the growing wave of misinformation and negative public perception around security operations is worsening the country’s fragile security situation.
Ibrahim noted that security agencies cannot effectively tackle threats without the understanding, cooperation and support of citizens.
He explained that while CACY does not interfere in operational matters of security agencies, it is however, important to emphasised that institutions like the DSS operate within constitutional and legal frameworks.
Ibrahim further said; “In modern democracies, the success of national security largely depends on collaboration between the public and institutions responsible for safeguarding lives and property”.
The spokesman said that instead of supporting authorities to identify and prosecute offenders, some individuals and groups are busy politicising security matters or framing them along sectarian lines.
He also expressed concern that actions taken by security agencies are often misrepresented, especially on social media where misinformation spreads rapidly.
Ibrahim cited the recent arrest of some social media activists and influencers over posts considered capable of inciting unrest, as an example.
According to Ibrahim; “Rather than allowing due process take its course, some commentators rushed to the public space with allegations and unsubstantiated narratives.
“Such allegations which are often driven by political, ethnic or religious sentiments, risk undermining public confidence in national institutions,” he stated.
CACY therefore urged Nigerians, particularly social media users and public commentators, to exercise restraint, verify information before dissemination, and allow lawful processes to determine culpability or innocence.
It stressed that by promoting unity, responsible communication and constructive engagement with security institutions, Nigerians can contribute to building a safer and more stable nation.
