DSS raises alarm over alleged plans to cause religious crisis
Andrew Orolua, Abuja
The Department of State Services (DSS) has reiterated its earlier warnings to the public that plans are on “by persons and groups to exploit some fault lines to cause ethno-religious violence in parts of the country.”
A statement signed by the agency’s public relations officer Peter Afunanya, PhD stated that “the latest developments indicate desperate efforts by these groups to subvert public order.”
According to DSS, “they have continued to resort to inciting, unguarded and divisive statements and acts” adding that “the objective is to pit citizens against one another in order to apparently inflame the embers of tribal and religious discords.
“For the umpteenth time, the Service strongly warns these elements to desist forthwith from their planned nefarious acts or face the full wraths of the law.”
It said however, that the DSS will, in collaboration with other security and law enforcement agencies, take necessary steps to ensure the safety of lives and property of the citizenry.
Recall that the DSS had on January 11, this year raised similar alarm over plans by mischief makers to instigate religious violence across the country.
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The service stated then in a statement signed by same Afunanya, that the alarm was necessary as “some elements were working with external forces to incite religious violence across the country.”
It said they “targeted states include Sokoto, Kano, Kaduna, Plateau, Rivers, Oyo, Lagos and those in the South East.
“Part of the plans is to cause inter-religious conflicts as well as use their foot soldiers to attack some worship centres, religious leaders, personalities, key and vulnerable points.”
The Department, therefore advised Nigerians to be wary of these antics and shun all divisive tendencies aimed at inciting or setting them against one another.”
