Prof. Ishaq Akintola, Director, Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC), on Wednesday urged the Inspector-General of Police to bring to book, the killers of worshippers at St. Ignatius Catholic Church in Benue State.
In a statement in Lagos, Akintola condemned the killing, saying that life remained sacrosanct and should not be toyed with.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that gunmen on Tuesday invaded the church located at Ayar-Mbalom in Gwer East Local Government Area of Benue, killing worshippers including two priests, Joseph Gor and Felix Tyolaha.
“MURIC strongly condemns this wanton waste of human lives. It is wicked, repulsive and barbaric.
“We implore the Federal Government to do everything possible to stop the carnage in the country, particularly in Benue and Taraba.
“Human life is sacred; only Allah, the Supreme Creator, has the right to take what He gave; therefore, killing for vengeance, religious or ethnic reason is not only primitive but also sinful.
“Although the attackers also burnt 50 houses and sacked the entire community, we are singling out the vicious attack on the church for strong condemnation,’’ he said.
The director said that those attacking the house of God had no piety and should not expect mercy from Allah.
“They seek to set different ethnic groups and religions at one another’s throats. They will fail by the grace of Allah,’’ he said.
Akintola urged Nigerians to exercise caution in their utterances and tolerate and forgive one another.
“Every peaceful community is a round hole whereas vengeance is a square peg; it is, therefore, an alien instrument designed to cause commotion.