SSS, police summon Islamic clerics to regulate their preaching

The police commissioner in Borno, Abdu Umar, has urged Islamic clerics to use the period of Ramadan fast to preach unity and peaceful coexistence in the state.

Mr Umar gave the charge during the stakeholders’ meeting to regulate preaching on Tuesday in Maiduguri. The meeting was convened by the Nigeria Police and State Security Service (SSS).

This week, the Apo Legislative Quarters central mosque committee in Abuja sacked Sheikh Nuru Khalid as the chief imam for criticising President Muhammadu Buhari.

The police chief said the meeting became necessary to remind preachers of the existing law passed in 2010 by the state government to regulate preaching.

He added that the law established the Borno State Islamic Religious Preaching Board, which made it mandatory for preachers to obtain licences from the board before embarking on their activities.

The police commissioner stressed the need for Islamic clerics to use the Ramadan period to preach peace and unity instead of attacking one another based on sectarian differences.

He also urged the media not to allow themselves to be hoodwinked by preachers inciting people and creating problems in Borno.