We Are Ready To Fight Boko Haram - Ifa Worshippers

Ifa religious worshippers under the aegis of Ancient Religion Societies of African Descendants International Council (ARSADIC) have said they are willing to join the fight against the Boko Haram insurgency.

Speaking at a press conference at Ile Oduduwa, Ile Ife on Friday, October 16, Olalekan Ifagbenuola, the chairman, executive working committee of ARSADIC said if the government asks for their help, they are ready to tackle Boko Haram insurgency in the country, Punch reports.

On the issue of corruption, Ifagbenuola said it would stop if if public office holders were made to take the oath of office in traditional religious ways.

“If proper oath of allegiance is taken genuinely, our leaders would not misbehave when they get to power. If the oath is taken in a traditional religious way, they will not misbehave. There must be fear of God in anything we do,” he said.

According to him, crime is being promoted by corrupt leaders in offices and if they change their ways, the level of crime in the country would reduce to a large extent.

He added that there would be no meaningful development if the challenges facing the nation are not confronted with seriousness.

Ifagbenuola called on the government to recognise the group, describing religion as an important instrument for development in any nation.

The chairman pointed out that successful nations, including China and South Africa, had given recognition to all notable religions, calling on the Nigerian government to do same.

He stated: “We call on the Federal Government of Nigeria in this era of change to follow suit and give due recognition to the ancient religions. We must quickly state that Nigeria is a complex nation of diverse group of people and culture; therefore, there would be more than one ancient religion in existence.”

The Boko Haram insurgency is one of the major challenges facing Nigeria. President Muhammadu Buhari gave the military three months deadline to curb the insurgents, who have been wrecking havoc in the North-East of the country. The president said he will not resign if he does not fulfill his promise of defeating Boko Haram by December 2015.

According to the Chief of Army Staff, General Tukur Buratai, the next few days will be crucial in the war against the Boko Haram sect. He said: “We cannot afford to lose the fight. We are better trained and better equipped. The whole nation is behind us. The president is with us.”