Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has called for the arrest of Godfrey Onah, Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Nsukka.
The Islamic group accused Onah of using his recent church sermon to “incite Christians to attack Muslims and destroy mosques” in Nsukka, Enugu State.
In a statement on Friday, the director, Ishaq Akintola, said MURIC is in possession of a video clip wherein Onah made disturbing comments.
Akintola quoted the cleric as saying, “It is not possible that here in Nsukka we hear the Muslim call to prayer from our windows as early as 4 am.”
MURIC said the pronouncement was an undisguised directive against muslims in the area and South-East by extension.
“Two mosques were burnt beyond recognition in the same town within one week of that incitement. A number of Muslims were also attacked and injured. Rev. Fr. Onah’s sermon is laced with hatred and bitterness. It is the most odious and insidious religious extremism.
“There must be consequences for such diatribe otherwise violence will run a full cycle. Religious leaders who instigate violence and watch as their hate speech consume people and properties have lost the moral right to be respected as leaders,” it said.
The Nigeria Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) has sent a petition to the Director General, Department of State Services (DSS), on the matter.
MURIC said it expects that the secret service will do the needful to calm those affected by the violence and serve as a deterrent to religious leaders who give unguarded sermons.
