The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Ms Navi Pillay, yesterday, urged Nigeria’s political and religious leaders to halt the sectarian violence unleashed by a series of recent attacks by the Boko Haram group.
“It is essential that the country’s leadership and especially its Muslim and Christian leaders, join forces to unequivocally condemn all violence, including retaliation and encourage their followers to identify and help arrest all those involved in killings and other acts of violence that have been taking place,” she said in a news release obtained by our correspondent.
The UN chief urged the country’s leaders “to speak with one voice and act resolutely to stop an already highly dangerous situation from spiraling out of control” and added that the religious tolerance that has been a central tenet of the nation was being threatened.
“Everybody will be the loser if Boko Haram succeeds in its aim and effort to sow discord between Muslim and Christian, or pit Northerner against Southerner. The fact that people are already leaving some areas where they are in a minority, out of fear of attacks by the majority, shows just how dangerous this is becoming for the country as a whole. “Anyone inciting violence or hatred must be held accountable, no matter who they are.” she said.
Ms. Pillay also said that it was vital that the security forces respect human rights and avoid excessive use of force when conducting operations so as not to stoke further tensions and resentment.