The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has asked governors of the south-west to rebrand Amotekun.
The Western Nigeria Security Network is code-named Amotekun, Yoruba word for leopard.
In a statement on Monday, Ishaq Akintola, MURIC’s director, said Amotekun has its origin in the Bible, and it would not be possible for Muslims to be a part of it.
“Jeremiah 5:6 says, ‘A leopard shall guard over their city’. Amotekun is mentioned in this verse with particular reference to guarding a city. Now, we have a sub-region where Muslims have been under persecution for ages coming up with a security outfit under the name of the same leopard mentioned in the bible as a guard over the city,” he said.
“This is not a coincidence. The handlers of Amotekun picked the name deliberately from the bible in order to score a spiritual point. It is very critical. It calls for serious concern. So why give a security unit a religious name?
“We advise the planners of the new security outfit to give it another name in the interest of peace and harmony in the sub-region. This is necessary if they want to carry all stakeholders along. Amotekun as a name is already controversial. We do not need a Christian security unit. Neither do we need a Muslim security outfit. The security agency in the South West must not only be neutral, it must also be seen to be neutral.
“We affirm that Muslims form the majority in the population of the south-west. They are therefore critical stakeholders and the unity of the Yoruba cannot become fait accompli without involving the Muslims in the sub-region. Muslims must be carried along in any security network in the zone. We are interested in security. We are security conscious.
“We will therefore join a South West security initiative if it is not tainted with Christian landmarks. We will have confidence in a security outfit that involves Muslim leaders, not one that parades pastors, bishops and archbishops alone.
“It must also be noted that a security group that starts with subtle threats to our brethren in faith in another part of the country cannot be safe for Muslims in Yorubaland. There is no racism or tribalism in Islam (Qur’an 49:13). It is a global brotherhood. Yoruba Muslims love Yorubaland. They also love Nigeria. But they owe their Creator, Allah, an unflinching and undiluted love towards their brothers and sisters in Islam no matter their race, tribe or colour.”
Akintola had earlier had accused governors of the south-west of recruiting only Christians into Amotekun which he had described as a militia.
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How can you pick a biblical clause out of context just because you want to deceive the public in order to scuttle the effort of protecting the region. Does the fact that leopard was mentioned in that passage makes it a biblical term? Then, every other words you speak and names you (including most Islamic names) should be jettisoned because "they are biblical terms).
ReplyDeleteWas the 'leopard' in that passage used for protecting the people? Read the in context and stop misleading the general public. Stop planting the division that does not exist.
If truly you love Nigeria and the Southwest region, then you will not misconstrue the Word of God to show hatred in the heart of your followers. I think the reason you are crying foul is that you feel you are no longer in control of the region. Because ratio of Christian governors to Muslim Governor. But you have forgotten that by this time last year, the reverse was the case and everyone was living freely and peacefully.
I advise you that if you are bold enough come out boldly to declare your opposition to the security outfit instead of hiding under what does not exist. You are more of an agent of division than the agent of peace you ought to be.
Thank you for your words of advise to this fanatic of islam religion,everybody is talking about the safety of lives and properties but he is busy himself with idle talk that would not do the society any good.
ReplyDeleteMURIC director, go and find something more important to do please,AMOTEKUN has come to stay.
This man is the number one terrorist in Nigeria.
ReplyDeleteThank you for your advise we are talking how to protect lives and properties the MURIC director is busy himself talking about his selfish opinion, the Leopard mentioned in the Bible has nothing to do with the newly created security outfit,even the Nigeria Army logo contain a lion picture,what can you say about that so why are you complaining AMOTEKUN has come to stay stop sowing seed of discord among the people.
ReplyDeleteIt is a security outfit & whatever the name should not be your problem
ReplyDelete