A South West chieftain of New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), Ambassador Olufemi Ajadi Oguntoyinbo has condemned the killing of a female food vendor in Niger State.
It was learnt that a food vendor simply identified as Amaye in Kasuwan-Garba town in Mariga Local Government Area (LGA) of Niger State was on Saturday evening allegedly killed over an alleged blasphemous remark against Prophet Muhammad.
Oguntoyinbo while speaking said that no religion preaches and tolerates violence and jungle justice.
The NNPP chieftain then called on the adherents of various religions in the country to preach and practice religious tolerance and ensure peaceful co-existence.
He said Nigeria is a multi-religion and multi tribal country, urging adherents of different religions to tolerate each other.
Oguntoyinbo in a statement made available to Afriposot on Monday, condemned the killing
He said that he was particularly sad because at least two other people have been lynched over such accusations in the last three years, which shows that not enough is being done to prevent the killings that have targeted both Muslims and Christians.
Oguntoyinbo in the statement, called on the traditional and religious leaders to educate their followers on the need to tolerate the views of others and to avoid provocation that may lead to untimely death of healthy Nigerians.
He said, “It is sad to hear about the burning to death of a female food vendor in Niger State who was accused of blaspheming against Prophet Muhammad. I think we should have passed over this kind of behavior in this Century.
“I want to implore the traditional and religious leaders to always talk to the adherents of their religions to always allow for peace. Nigeria is a multi religions state and none of our religion encourage killing and lost of lives through violence.
“We should allow civilisation. We should tolerate each other and allow peaceful co-existence. I will also call on the National Orientation Agency, (NOA) to please sensitise the people on the need for tolerance and peaceful co-existence.
“I pray for the repose of the soul of dead and I plead with the security to maintain peace and prevent a reprisal attack and a reoccurrence of this kind of behaviour”.