News
Deborah: CPFN Seeks Open Preaching To Muslims Against Lawlessness
The Christian Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (CPFN) has called on Islamic leaders to educate their followers through open preaching in Mosques and mass media on the negative effects of taking laws into their hands whenever they are aggrieved by alleged infringement on their religious beliefs.
The National Chairman, CPFN, Pastor E.S Awojide, in a statement throughits National Publicity Secretary, Elder Segun Bamidele, was reacting to the gruesome murder of Deborah Samuel of Shehu Shagari College of Education, Sokoto, who was stoned to death and burnt for alleged blasphemy of Prophet Muhammad.
The Christian Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria condemned the killing, and described the act as inhuman and illegal.
According to the statement, the Sultan of Sokoto, the leader of all Muslims in Nigeria, and other Islamic leaders should openly preach to all Muslims never to attack or kill any person for whatever reason, but to report any allegation of infringement of any law or custom to the police and not to take laws into their hands.
It opined that preaching openly in the mosque and on national television would crry weight and convince Muslims that killing others for blasphemy was not the appropriate thing to do.
According to CPFN, although the Sultan had issued a statement against the killing of the student, it was not enough for him and the head of the Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs in Nigeria.
It stated, “The Sultan should let his followers know the consequences of violation of all human rights guaranteed under the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”
He condemned in strongest terms what he called a “heinous incident”, and called for the investigation, arrest, and prosecution of those involved not just the two already apprehended.
The statement stated that the laws of the land do not allow anyone to take the life of another fellow human for any reason.
The CPFN, therefore, commiserated with the family of Deborah Samuel, all Christians in Sokoto State and Nigeria at large, appealing to them to maintain calm and orderliness in the face of the challenge.
The national chairman also called on Governor Aminu Tambuwal of Sokoto State and President Muhammadu Buhari to, as a matter of urgency, bring the people behind the gruesome murder of Deborah Samuel to book.
To ensure that justice was served to serve as a deterrent to other criminal elements using religion as a cover, the statement suggested that culprits should be made to face the law.
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Waidi Shaibu, has tasked troops of Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD to dominate the battlespace and intensify offensive operations against kidnappers, bandits and other criminal elements in the North Central region.
Shaibu gave the directive yesterday during his maiden operational visit to the Headquarters, Joint Task Force North Central (JTF-NC), at Sobi Barracks, Ilorin.
This is contained in a statement by the Acting Director, Army Public Relations, Col. Appolonia Anele, in Abuja, yesterday.
Shaibu said the Nigerian Army would remain resolute in its constitutional responsibility of safeguarding lives and property, stressing that troops must sustain pressure to decisively deny criminal elements freedom of action.
He assured personnel of continued deployment of combat enablers and operational resources to enhance clearance operations and dismantle criminal hideouts across Kwara and Niger states.
The COAS reaffirmed his commitment to troop welfare, noting that improved welfare remained critical to sustaining morale, operational effectiveness and combat readiness.
He urged the troops to remain disciplined, professional and loyal to the Constitution and the democratically elected government.
Earlier, the Theatre Commander, JTF-NC Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD, Maj.-Gen. Yakubu Yahaya, commended the COAS for his strategic leadership and support.
Yahaya assured that troops would remain committed and steadfast in restoring peace and stability in the region.
The Nigerian Navy says it is expanding training and infrastructure to address emerging security threats and strengthen operational efficiency across formations and units nationwide.
The Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Adm. Idi Abbas, spoke during the inauguration of projects at the Nigerian Navy Basic Training School (NNBTS) in Onne, Rivers as part of activities marking the Nigerian Navy’s 70th anniversary.
Abbas, represented by the Flag Officer Commanding, Naval Training Command (NAVTRAC), Rear Adm. Ebiobowei Zipele, said the projects reflected significant progress made by the navy since its establishment in 1956 from the British Royal Navy.
“Training and infrastructure have improved significantly to meet contemporary security challenges and fulfil the navy’s constitutional responsibilities.”
According to him, the anniversary provides the navy an opportunity to reflect on its achievements and contributions over the past seven decades.
Projects inaugurated included a remodelled female trainees’ hostel accommodating more than 500 occupants and an expanded golf course upgraded from one to nine holes.
Others were the NNBTS fuel dump, Chief Boatswain’s Mate House, renovated pharmacy department and a new theatre block at the Naval Medical Centre, Onne.
Abbas described the new theatre as a major milestone for the navy’s medical services.
“Previously, injured personnel requiring surgeries were referred outside the facility.
“With this theatre, surgeries can now be conducted within the base.’’
He added that a 30KVA inverter had also been installed to guarantee uninterrupted electricity supply at the training school.
The naval chief assured officers, ratings and trainees that the navy leadership remained committed to their welfare and wellbeing.
“These infrastructure upgrades show the commitment of the Chief of Naval Staff to addressing operational and welfare challenges promptly,” he said.
In addition, NAVTRAC distributed educational materials to pupils of Community Primary Schools One and Two, Ogale, in Ebubu-Eleme area of Rivers.
Items distributed included exercise books, school bags and other writing materials as part of the navy’s civil-military engagement initiative.
Zipele said the outreach was designed to strengthen relations between the navy and host communities while supporting children’s education.
“Education remains critical to national growth and youth empowerment. Some of these pupils may eventually serve in the Nigerian Navy,” he said.
He noted that the initiative demonstrated the navy’s commitment to educational development, peace, security and sustainable community relations.
Zipele urged the pupils to remain disciplined, focused and committed to their studies while embracing patriotism, integrity and hard work.
He thanked the Ebubu community for its continued support for the naval training command headquarters and the navy.
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