Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution (IPCR) has called on Nigerians to reject religious narratives that promote division and insecurity, urging citizens to prioritise national unity, accountability and equal application of the law.
A cleric, Hayab, made the call while identifying impunity, weak institutions, economic marginalisation and elite manipulation as some of the factors fuelling divisions and insecurity in the country.
He described the use of religion to explain violent conflicts as politically convenient but analytically weak, arguing that such narratives distract attention from the underlying causes of violence.
Hayab urged Nigerians to expose criminal activities irrespective of the religious affiliations of those involved, rather than shielding offenders on the grounds of shared religious identity.
He said citizens must be willing to report wrongdoing even when those responsible belong to their religious communities.
The cleric also advocated stronger grassroots engagement involving traditional rulers, religious leaders, local government officials and other community stakeholders to strengthen early warning mechanisms and prevent conflicts.
He cited peacebuilding efforts in Kaduna State, which he said contributed to relative stability between November 2002 and April 2011.
Hayab further called on security agencies to incorporate human rights and freedom of religion training into their operations, stressing that religious or ethnic identity should not shield anyone from prosecution.
He maintained that anyone found to have violated the law must be held accountable, regardless of whetherthe individual is a Christian or Muslim, Northerner or Southerner.
He urged Nigerians to see insecurity and attacks against any community as a national concern rather than a problem affecting only a particular religious group.
