Religious Fracas! Apostle Suleiman charges Christians to kill herdsmen again, as Sultan orders arrest and prosecution

Apostle Suleiman has charged Christians to be prepared for any one who tries to harm them

- The controversial cleric took to twitter to share affirm that Christians must prepare for any attack

- Suleiman's latest rants, comes on the heels of a call by the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar III, for the arrest of clergymen inciting violence

Apostle Johnson Suleman, the founder of Omega Fire Ministry, has restated that Christians should defend themselves, despite controversies trailing his comment on Fulani herdsmen.

The had allegedly asked his members to kill any Fulani herdsman they find around his church premises.

Following his comment, the Department of State Security Service, DSS, attempted to arrest him in the early hours of Wednesday but Governor of Ekiti State, Ayodele Fayose, foiled the attempt.

The cleric had declared that ‘if he is arrested for speaking out, Nigeria will be on fire.’

On his Twitter handle @APOSTLESULEMAN, the cleric known for his predictions said he is untouchable.

“In Nigeria, people are killed nd notin hapens.but wen pple speak dey are arrested. xtians shld not go afta dem but dey shldnt come after us.

“I repeat it, Christians defend urself. Av lost countles xtian friends by this same extremists.let doz runnin der mouths continue. Mathew 11.12.

“But God said they are too small..Isaiah 54v17 will speak..there will be consequences..am from above and untouchable.ofm worldwide will react.

“The Nigerian president has ordered my arrest becos I warned against their killing innocent Christians..2trucks of armed men came for me.”

Religious Fracas! Apostle Suleiman charges Christians to kill herdsmen again, as Sultan orders arrest and prosecution

Religious Fracas! Apostle Suleiman charges Christians to kill herdsmen again, as Sultan orders arrest and prosecution

Meanwhile, the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar III, has called on the Federal Government to ensure the arrest and prosecution of people who preach and promote hate speeches in the country.

Abubakar III gave this advice at the opening of a two-Day conference organised by International Dialogue Centre (KAICIID), an inter-governmental organisation that promotes dialogue to build peace in conflict areas.

The conference was supported by the Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution (IPCR), in collaboration with the Inter faith Mediation Centre (IMC).

According to him, people who preach and promote hate speeches have brought friction between Christians and Muslims in the country.

Vanguard reports that he stressed the need for both religions to report preachers of hate to the security agencies for proper investigation, adding that no external people could bring peace to the country.

He identified hate preaching as a major factor responsible for friction between Christians and Muslims, saying “while we pray for peace and dialogue, preachers of hate must be reported to the security agencies.

“Therefore, we must work hard for peace and live in peace and harmony. Sultan of Sokoto “ All of us believe in dialogue that is why we are here. Some of us are outside Abuja and we have to travel long distance to be here.

“This shows what we want peace because violence, killings is contrary to the teaching of our Holy books.

“We are not here to teach ourselves the holy books, but to use them appropriately, “ Sultan said. Abubakar III called on religious leaders and their followers to support the security agencies to deal with people who promote religious intolerance in the country.

“We must tell ourselves the truth we must collaborate with authorities to deal with those who don’t want peace.

“When you keep quiet, it means you are supporting what other individuals are doing and the masses will suffer.

“I have not lost hope in this country; I have never lost hope in my relationship with Christians. “ If you did something wrong, I will call you and advise you. We must continue to show love as our religion ordered us, “ he said.

He urged the organisers and participants at the event to ensure the implementation of all the recommendations of the conference. According to him, by February the National Inter religious Council (NIREC) will meet and talk on the prevailing issues in Nigeria.

The President, Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Dr Osupo Ayokunle said there was no better time for Nigerians to unite than now. Ayokunle, represented by Bishop Steven Adegbite, noted that there was no religion that encourages people to kill and advised Nigerians leaders to come together and design a road map.

The CAN president called on Nigerians to be their brother’s keeper, saying “ Only God gives and takes away life.

The conference brought together over 100 key actors from diverse communities; both Christians and Muslims, to find common ground to build and support a platform for inter religious dialogue in the country.

KAICIID is a Vienna; Austria based intergovernmental organisation that promotes and employ interreligious dialogue to prevent conflict and ensure sustainable peace and social cohesion.