Opinion and religious leaders have been urged to refrain from giving religious connotation to the crisis between herdsmen and farmers in Southern Kaduna.

The warning became expedient following insinuations that the criminal violence in Southern Kaduna had religious interpretation.

Minister of Interior, retired Lieutenant-General Abdulrahman Dambazau, said criminals who perpetrate violence against innocent, law-abiding citizens do not discriminate along religious and ethnic lines.

Dambazau called on well-meaning Nigerians to refrain from making comments capable of heightening the crises, but join hands with government to end the perennial problem, saying some people were always looking for ways to further create division along religious or ethnic fault lines for their selfish interest, with the aim of creating instability in the country.

He said true religious leaders should not fan the embers of hate, but ensure communities live in peace and harmony, saying economic growth and development would remain a mirage for Nigeria, with over five hundred ethnic groups and multiple religions.

Dambazau said criminals who perpetrate violence against innocent, law-abiding citizens did not discriminate along religious and ethnic lines, citing examples of how Communities in Zamfara, Katsina, Taraba, Enugu, Lagos and Niger were victimised by those violent criminals.

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

Dambazau said he had directed the Nigeria Police to ensure the sustenance of law and order, and to arrest and prosecute anyone involved in criminal activities in the area and across the country, urging citizens to cooperate with the police by providing information in its quest to restore normalcy to the troubled communities.

He assured Nigerians of government’s commitment to tackling the root causes of similar crisis in all parts of the country, while paying special attention to measures aimed at eradicating poverty, climate change, population explosion and youth restiveness.