A Muslim cleric in Rivers State, Imam Ustaz Yahaya Imam Abdulahi, has said that there is no attack on Muslims the State.
The cleric who provided incites into the accusations by the Muslim community on the Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike said the declaration o state as a Christian state by the governor is what has sustained the verbal onslaught by the Muslim community on the state government.
Imam Abdullahi, who is also the leader of Bori Central Mosque in Khana Local Government Area of the state, said Muslim faithful are going about their business without any form of harassment.
He explained that Muslim leaders in the state have been receiving telephone calls from people who want to understand the state of things in the state because of the misconception about the issue of mosque demolition.
Explaining further, he said that there are over 130 mosques in the state, adding that there are equally smaller ones along streets, with no one being harassed.
He told The Nation that there is no threat to Muslims in the state.
According to him: “There is an area known as Rainbow Community at the Trans Amadi area of Port Harcourt. About Five to seven years or so ago, the government gave a notice that they needed the land. The issue went to court, there was a legal tussle, and the state government won.
“The Rivers state government later demolished everything there; including churches, mosque, houses and shops.
“Years later, the Muslim community resident in the area got another land from a local chief for over N11.5m. where they built a mosque there – that was after the demolition of the first mosque, which affected all the residents and not just the Muslim community.
“Sometimes again, another demolition took place, and they lost this mosque that was about five years ago. They didn’t vacate the place but were praying there every day and every week. It was when the state government went to clear there again that started this.
“Governor Wike addressed his supporters (on Ruga), assuring them that Rivers is a Christian state and he has no regret. That is what people are relating to and saying Muslims are under attack or threat. I see the video in circulation, which is not connected with the latest matter.
“I am calling the Executive Governor of Rivers State that he should continue to be the leader he his who does things accordingly. If there is land bought for the mosque and the government has an interest in it, they should replace it with another one.”
