Bauchi state government says it will not condone inciting statements from any preacher in the state.

The Secretary to the State Government, Ibrahim Kashim issued the warning while briefing newsmen about the outcome of the state security committee meeting, on Monday in Bauchi.

According to him, the government will deal with any preacher making statements capable of causing division among the people.

“As you are aware, we are just coming out of a very rigorous electioneering period and elections and a lot of things have been happening after the elections that need a lot of serious security measures.

“There has been some noise and some back and forth about issues relating to preaching and understanding of the context of the preaching and the heat it has generated.

“We are concerned because it is not the issue of Aqidah (creed), not the issue of politics but just the issue of inciting statements that are bound to cause division between our people.

“We have met, discussed it and we have resolved that Bauchi is a very peaceful place, and we will do everything within our power to make sure that it remains peaceful.

“We are not going to allow anybody’s actions or utterances to disrupt the peace that we have been enjoying in the state,” he said.

Mr Kashim, who is also the Chairman of the Security Committee, added that the state government would not shirk away from its responsibility of protecting lives and property of the people.

“We are not going to allow anybody henceforth to insult anybody or insult the faith of anybody or other people with regards to their faith,” he added.

Also speaking, the Commissioner of Police in the state, Aminu Alhassan, said that efforts were on to curtail activities capable of disrupting peaceful coexistence in the state.

(NAN)