By Clara Egbogota
Lagos – Imam Abdul-Azeez Onike, Chief Missioner, Nasrulah-il-Fatih Society (NASFAT), has urged the three tiers of government to stop retaliatory attacks by Nigerians youth on South African business interests in Nigeria.
Onike said on Friday in Lagos that some hoodlums were using the opportunity of the xenophobia uproar to attack fellow Nigerians, all in the name of attacking businesses with links to South Africa.
According to him, this trend will not augur well for our dear nation.
“There have been reports of continuous attacks on Nigerians in South Africa in recent times, but we Nigerians should be reminded that “two wrongs do not make a right.
“I condemn those who are sharing fake videos and false information of purported killings and maiming of Nigerians resident in South Africa and vandalism of their property.
“Islam condemns rumour peddling, as stated in Quran 17 verse 36:
“Whoever spreads rumour that leads to the injury, harm, loss of property or death of any individual would share the burden on the day of judgment, as explained in Quran 4 verse 85.
“Whosoever intercedes for a good cause, will have the reward thereof; meaning, whoever intercedes in a matter that produces good results, will acquire a share in that good,” he said.
The cleric urged Nigerians to exercise restraint and caution their “fast fingers” before forwarding any message via social media.
“Forwarded as received does not take the responsibility of your actions from you. We should be cautious of fast fingering that could even lead us to jail,” he said.
Onike, therefore, advised the law enforcement agencies to quickly and decisively contain the situation to prevent a bandwagon effect.
He said that more concerted efforts should be taken by the governments, companies, and non-governmental organisations to address the widening income inequalities.
The chief missioner urged Nigerians to reflect and resolve to undergo an ethical revolution, and espouse values that would promote good neighbourlines.
According to him, this is to ensure that we are no longer the targets of attacks.
“The gap between the rich and the poor is high; the gap has to be reduced quickly to give hope and spread prosperity.
Onike, commending the swift actions of Federal Government to douse the tension, urged the leaders of Nigeria and South Africa to stem the tide to avert diplomatic skirmishes.
He said there was also need for the government to make conscious efforts at bringing to book those few bad elements at home and in the Diaspora giving the country bad names.