Minister of Interior, Abdulrahman  Dambazau, has called on‎ religious and political leaders in the country to refrain from making inciting statements and giving religious connotation to the crisis between herdsmen and farmers in Southern Kaduna.  ‎

In a statement on Tuesday by his press secretary, Ehisienmen Osaigbovo, Dambazzau called on well-meaning Nigerians to join hands with government to end the perennial problem rather than engage in comments capable of heightening the crises.

The minister said that true religious leaders should not‎ fan the embers of hate, but ensure that communities live in peace and harmony, wondering why some people always look for ways to further create division along religious or ethnic fault lines for their selfish interest.

Dambazzau said that given the fact that there are over 500 ethnic groups and multiple religions in the country, unless Nigerians resolve to live amicably as a people with a common destiny, “Economic growth and development will remain a mirage for Nigeria.”‎

According to him,‎ ‎criminals who perpetrate violence against innocent, law-abiding citizens do not discriminate along religious and ethnic lines, as communities in Zamfara, Katsina, Taraba, Enugu, Lagos and Niger had witnessed  violent crises at one time or another.

“A criminal should be treated as such, whether he is involved in armed robbery, drug trafficking, homicide or cattle rustling,” the minister’s aide stated.

“People should avoid honouring criminals with religious or ethnic attachment,” he added. ‎

He called on political and religious leaders to “focus on the real enemies of our society, who illegally acquire weapons to terrorise Christians and Muslims communities alike.”

The minister said he had directed the Nigerian ‎Police to be more pro-active in ensuring the maintenance of law and order and to arrest and prosecute anyone involved in criminal activities across the country.

He ‎urged citizens to assist the police by providing valuable information that would ensure that peace and normalcy is restored in the community.

Meanwhile, Senate President Bukola Saraki has said that the Senate on its resumption from the Christmas break would launch an investigation into the crisis in Southern Kaduna.

According to Saraki, “Once we resume, this issue (southern Kaduna crisis) will be addressed to get a clearer picture.

“Every Nigerian life matter and the Senate will work to ensure that the rule of law is always upheld as prescribed by the Nigerian Constitution.”