Boko Haram, product of wrong interpretation of Islam – Gen. Buratai; as Army uncovers plot to discredit COAS, others using social media

ABDULLAHI ISAH, Maiduguri

Chief of Army Staff (COAS), The Chief of Army Staff Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai, has blamed the wrong interpretation and teaching of Islam for the upsurge in the Boko Haram insurgency confronting the society.

Declaring open a two-day sensitization seminar/workshop on enlightenment and de-radicalization of Muslims and the general public on Islam, the COAS, noted that the youth in the region become easy targets for these wrong teachings on account of their level of ignorance.

The seminar, organized by the Directorate of Islamic Affairs of the Nigerian Army, was geared towards de-radicalizing the minds of the general public on terrorism and wrong interpretation of Islam.

Gen. Buratai, represented by the Theater Commander, Operation Lafiya Dole, Major General Yusha`u Abubakar further noted that the choice of Maiduguri for the sensitization workshop was timely, due to the Boko Haram insurgency which has bedevilled the area for some time now, as a result of the wrong interpretation of Islam.

“Muslims are faced with ignorance and wrong interpretation of Islam. We have to sensitize the public to embrace the true teachings of Islam, as propagated by the Prophet Muhammad (SAW), as anything outside that does not represent Islam,” said Gen Buratai.

The Army boss said the miscreants and criminals who are terrorizing people in the North-East geo-political zone of the country under the guise of Islam have gone out of the real teachings and interpretation of Islam as taught by Prophet Muhammad (SAW) and his disciples and have taken the path of those trying to mislead people to the way of Satan.

The Director of Islamic Affairs Nigerian Army, Col. S Mustapha said: “Despite Islamic warning against extremism and terrorism some people do not heed the warning, but always embark on distorting the real meaning of Quranic verses and Hadith, disseminating wrong information on Islam, in order to lure ignorant Muslim youths into criminal activities in the name of fighting Jihad”.

Also commenting, a director in the Ministry of Religious Affairs, Borno State, Alhaji Muhammed Abdullahi said the Islamic Ummah in Borno State organizes prayer sessions for the Nigerian Army, ‘so that they may triumph over the criminals who have brought agony to the people by destroying property, killing and maiming innocent civilians in the name of Jihad (Holy war).’

Alhaji Abdullahi further explained that the Boko Haram insurgency and other social upheavals, were as a result of bad preaching that have gone unchecked for over 30 years, hence the acceptance of wrong interpretation of Islam by the youth, adding that Islam is about building of the society and individuals.

“You don’t learn Islam on the streets or buying books from the bookshops but through genuine scholars who understand what Islam stands for. We have to go back to roots to carefully study the pure version of Islam and not the adulterated one which was adopted by these miscreants,” he said.

In his keynote address, the Shehu of Borno HRH Alhaji Abubakar Ibn Umar Garbai represented by Barrister Wali Idris who is also the legal adviser to the Borno Emirate Council, thanked the military for organizing such a timely seminar, as it will go a long way in sensitizing people about what true Islam is all about.

“Nigerians should be their brothers’ keeper irrespective of religious or ethnic affiliations, as all of us belong to the same country and cannot develop without peaceful coexistence. Our doors are always open to the security agencies to seek useful advice and suggestions on any security matter,” the Shehu stated.

Meanwhile, the Nigerian Army has disclosed that it recently received reports of some elements both within the Nigerian Army and outside, especially through the use of social media platforms, planning  to ridicule the force and the person of the Chief of Army Staff (COAS),  Lt. Gen Buratai, for reasons best known to them.

A statement by Colonel Sani Kukasheka Usman, the Acting Director Army Public Relations, said: “They intend to execute this plan as from next month, December 2015, using all means possible; lies, fabricating baseless stories, falsehood, publishing and broadcasting them through some designated print and electronic media, most especially the Social Media.

“The Nigerian Army has identified some of the officers involved and their collaborators. The officers are being investigated to unravel their motive and motivation. The public and the media are please requested to be careful and wary of these disgruntled persons. They should please disregard any such material from them.

“The Nigerian Army holds the media in high esteem. The Nigerian media is one of the best in the world and have consistently been partners in progress and very supportive, understanding and cooperative with the Nigerian Army especially in the fight against terrorism and insurgency. This at times comes at the risk of their personal safety and corporate existence.

“The role of the media in nation building and conflict resolution, peace building and social responsibility is never in doubt. They have proven to be very important stakeholders in our collective efforts to restore peace and stability in our great nation.

“With this and so many other things, the media, especially the online publications, should not be involved or lured into such dubious campaign. As always, our doors are open for clarification, enquiries and reactions on any issue concerning the Nigerian Army before filing or publicizing such stories.

“It is imperative to note that the fight against Boko Haram terrorists is at critical stage, any attack on the Nigerian Army will be counter-productive and serious distraction on the fight against terrorism and insurgency. More so, as we are busy trying to defeat Boko Haram terrorists based on the given presidential mandate,” said the statement.

Col. Usman, therefore, called on ‘all Nigerians not to fall prey to their campaign of calumny. This is because their evil intents would be distractive and capable of reversing the gains on the fight against Boko Haram Terrorists.”

According to the army spokesman, “all hands must be on deck to ensure the defeat of Boko Haram terrorists and safety of lives and property in our country before the end of the year.”