The Muslim Ummah of South West Nigeria (MUSWEN) has condemned the use of violence to

settle scores in the Nigerian polity and dissociate self from all the dastardly acts claimed by the group known as Boko Haram.

The group in a communiqué issued at the end of its retreat held at the University of Ibadan Hotels from Friday, January 27 to Sunday January 29, 2012, and signed by Professor Ishaq Oloyede Vice Chancellor, University of Ilorin, Chairman of the Retreat and Professor. D.O.S. Noibi, Executive Secretary, MUSWEN, declared that the violent activities of the group were against the dictates of Islam which is a religion of peace, and the group therefore is not representative of the Muslims in South West Nigeria and the country as a whole.

It said that religious ignorance, indoctrination, provocation and intolerance should be seriously and frontally tackled.

It also called for the teaching of Islamic Studies and Christian Religious Studies and made compulsory up to Secondary School level in order to enhance moral values and instil the fear of God in our youth.

MUSWEN said that branches of the Nigeria Inter-religious Council (NIREC) should be urgently established in every state as a meeting point for both Muslim and Christian leaderships at the grassroots to discuss issues affecting their religions and thereby foster peace and harmony among their congregations.

It added that government security apparatus should pay greater attention to intelligence gathering in order to nip criminality in the bud.