Sultan calls for arrest, prosecution of Oyedepo, Suleiman, other hate preachers.

The Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar III, has called for the arrest and prosecution of Nigerian pastors preaching

 that Christian should pick up arms against Boko Haram and Muslim Fulani herdsmen who have continued to attack and kill them.

His call came on the heels of alleged attempt by operatives of the Department of State Security (DSS) to arrest Apostle Johnson Suleiman of the Omega Fire Ministries Worldwide in Ado Ekiti State around 1am on Wednesday.

The arrest which was reportedly foiled by Ekiti State Governor Ayodele Fayose, was sequel to a recent preaching by the cleric that Christians should retaliate against incessant brutal killings by Muslim Fulani herdsmen.

Suleiman’s preaching came following the reported killing of over 800 Southern Kaduna Christians by Muslim Fulani Herdsmen and other similar attacks across the country.

A recent video that went viral on the internet also quoted Pastor David Oyedepo of the Winners Chapel calling on members of his church to spill the blood of any Muslim fanatics who attack them. He went further to call on God to break up Nigeria if it was His will.

Although the church denied that the video was not new and was not in respect to Southern Kaduna killings, it however did not deny the pastor making such call.

Many other pastors have also warned that Christians in Nigeria will no longer watch their Muslim attackers in the name of Boko Haram and Fulani Herdsmen kill them without attacking back.

However, speaking at the opening of a two-day conference organised by International Dialogue Centre (KAICIID), an inter-governmental organisation that promotes dialogue to build peace in conflict areas, the Sultan called on the Federal Government to ensure the arrest and prosecution of people who preach and promote hate speeches in the country.

The conference was supported by the Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution (IPCR), in collaboration with the Inter faith Mediation Centre (IMC).

Accusing those preaching hate speeches of causing friction between Christians and Muslims in the country, he said, “While we pray for peace and dialogue, preachers of hate must be reported to the security agencies.

“Therefore, we must work hard for peace and live in peace and harmony. All of us believe in dialogue that is why we are here. Some of us are outside Abuja and we have to travel long distance to be here. This shows what we want peace because violence, killings is contrary to the teaching of our Holy books.

“We are not here to teach ourselves the holy books, but to use them appropriately. We must tell ourselves the truth we must collaborate with authorities to deal with those who don’t want peace.

“I have not lost hope in this country; I have never lost hope in my relationship with Christians.

“If you did something wrong, I will call you and advise you. We must continue to show love as our religion ordered us, “he said.

Earlier on Monday, the Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity to President Muhammadu Buhari, Shehu Garba, had, while taking questions from a team of Channels Television journalists, invited security agencies to consider arresting Suleiman for his utterances.

Sources: by Ripples Nigeria.