Group calls for arrest of cleric over ‘malicious allegations’ against defence chief 

A coalition of civil society organisations (CSOs) in Kaduna has asked the Nigerian Police Force (NPF) and Department of State Services (DSS) to arrest an Islamic cleric over malicious allegations against Christopher Musa, the chief of defence staff (CDS). 

Addressing journalists on Tuesday in Kaduna, Nuhu Bahago, coordinator of the CSOs, said the utterances of the cleric in a viral video were offensive and calculated to cause grievous harm to the image of the CDS and his tribe. 

Bahago said following the consideration of military force to restore democracy in Niger Republic, the unnamed Islamic preacher had in a virile video which trended on social media, alleged that  France, America and Britain, are using the CDS to wage war against Muslims in the landlocked country.

He said the call for the arrest of the cleric is in the interest of peace and national security. 

“As you may be aware, there is a trending video of an Islamic cleric making the rounds in which he made very inciting and malicious allegations against the chief of defence staff (CDS), Gen. Christopher Musa and also profiled his tribal group,” Bahago said. 

“In view of the unfortunate allegations, we, as responsible and law-abiding Nigerians of fair minds who believe in truth and justice, must state our position on the issues raised in the video. 

“We want to say that the tirade of the cleric is very offensive and clearly calculated to cause grievous harm to the CDS’s image and that of his Kataf people and instigate violence in the country.

“We condemned this act of hate and incitement and we call on relevant authorities to arrest and interrogate the cleric.”

According to Bahago, the defence chief is a respected military officer who has distinguished himself as a polished and thoroughbred professional. 

“As an accomplished, disciplined and loyal soldier, he has submitted himself to civil authority and he is bound by the international code of military conduct to obey orders from his commander-in-chief,” he said.

“We, therefore, rebuke all the false and unguarded allegations thrown at him.”

The group said the “aim of the video is to bring the CDS to public odium in the face of the Muslim community as one who hates Islam. 

“It is also aimed at courting hate at his tribal group which consequences may imperil their security and safety. Like all ethnic groups in the north, the Kataf has a record of peaceful co-existence much more than for striving with the Muslim communities. 

“Therefore, for the cleric to instigate the Muslim community against the Kataf is most condemnable.

“Finally, we call on the inspector general of police and the director general of the DSS not to allow this divisive and inciting video to go uninvestigated.  We hope the law will be brought to bear if the cleric is found guilty. This will serve as a deterrent to others.”