Boko Haram Is UnIslamic- Babangida

Niger State Governor, Babangida Aliyu, on Wednesday, said that the activities of the radical Islamist sect, Boko Haram is unIslamic.  

According to NAN, the governor made the assertion in Minna, while playing host to a delegation from the National Christian Pilgrims Commission (NCPC). He said that the Federal Government had promised to combat insurgency in the country.

Babangida Aliyu

Governor Babangida Aliyu

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“We have all resolved to fight the Boko Haram to a standstill” at the council meeting on Tuesday. What the Boko Haram sect is doing is completely unIslamic. Anybody that slaughters human beings in the name of religion is a charlatan and we have to put them where they belong. It is now clear that the sect is not a creation of any group bent on destabilising any government” Aliyu said.    

Aliyu, who assured the Christian pilgrimage of the state government’s continued support, said: “I hope my pilgrims will take off from Minna Airport”.

John Opara, the NCPC Chairman, in his earlier remark disclosed that 700 slots were allocated to the state, adding that the commission was looking at the possibility of increasing it over time.  

Opara therefore called on wealthy citizens to help sponsor the pilgrimage of indigent persons.

“The pilgrimage is a spiritual journey and not a jamboree. The spiritually wealthy should be sponsored by the materially wealthy in order for them to also pray for the nation and the people” he said.   

Related: What FG Is Doing To Abuja Landlords Over Boko Haram Attacks

The NCPC chairman revealed that the presidency had approved a nine per cent reduction of pilgrims’ fees by reducing the exchange rate of one dollar to 150 naira.

It would be recalled that on Tuesday, July 8, 2014, weekly council meeting which was presided over by President Goodluck Jonathan, had security as the focal point of discussion. The meeting was attended by former Presidents and Heads of State, Olusegun Obasanjo, Shehu Shagari, Ibrahim Babangida, Yakubu Gowon, Abdulsalami Abubakar and Ernest Shonekan.