Martins spoke during his maiden media chat at the Church of Assumption, Falomo, Lagos.“The fact that Boko Haram sect can still perpetuate their dastardly act in this Ramadan period raises much doubt about their frequent claims to be Muslims fighting for the cause of the Islamic religion.
“It is very obvious, therefore, that those perpetuating these acts of terrorism on fellow Nigerians are not true Muslims, but terrorists bent on destabilising our country Nigeria,” he said
Martins said that Islam is a religion of peace and total submission to the will of Allah.
The cleric sympathised with the families of those who lost their lives through these acts of terrorism, urging the Federal Government to urgently deal with all acts of aggression against Nigerians.
“I equally urge them not to foreclose the possibility of dialogue where necessary; this is because war has never brought about lasting peace in the history of humanity.
“It is always better for all parties to come together and table their grievances in the form of a meaningful dialogue,” he said.
Commenting on the attack on a photo journalist with Leadership Newspapers by men alleged to be mortuary attendants at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, the archbishop said it was shocking and condemnable.
He said that there was no way to justify such an attack on a man who was going about his constitutional responsibility.
“It is the role of the media to educate, inform and entertain the public; they are allowed by law to have access to legitimate information that is relevant to the public.
“The Freedom of Information Act is very clear about this and it is very sad that our media men are being attacked and brutalised,” he said.
The cleric thanked Gov. Babatunde Fashola of Lagos State and other well meaning Nigerians that condemned the negative trend.
He called on the Federal and State governments, the Nigeria Union of Journalists, law enforcement agencies and stakeholders, not to relent in their efforts to ensure that the rights of journalists were protected.(NAN)
