The Federal Government aborted, yesterday, moves by Muslim worshippers in Abuja to launch protest against the United States' threat to attack Iraq.
Following a security report that a protest would follow yesterday's Jumat, security men were deployed round the city.
All Federal Government establishments including ministries and parastatals as well as their workers were advised to exercise caution in their activities/movement before, during and after the Jumat prayers.
Hundreds of civil servants ran home from work. Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of the Federal Capital Territory, Dr. Babangida Aliyu, met with Muslim and Christians leaders, and in a statement, therefore, said: "The issue of America and Iraq is not a religious matter, it is not issues of Christians and Muslims, we should not allow such issues to create problems in our young democratic government. Such was recently done in our country concerning Miss World; we must maintain the peace and harmony of this country."
The permanent secretary noted that the need to keep the peace in the federal capital necessitated religious leaders to "come together and work on our security."
Speaking with journalists shortly after the meeting, Vice Chairman, Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Monsignor Inyang, said security agencies had been asked to be on alert in order to forestall any threat to peace, threatening that Christians would henceforth retaliate if attacked.
"Police and all security agencies have been asked to be alert if Muslims kill Christians, we will retaliate. Christians have the right and duty to defend themselves," the clergy said.
In attendance during the meeting were Alhaji Adamu Baba Yunusa Ona of Abaji/Chairman Council of Chiefs FCT; Bishop (Dr.) John Praise, chairman Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria; Rev. (Dr.) Napoleon Obayojie, CAN; Monsignor Inyang, Vice Chairman CAN; Rev. Victor Ogunkanmi, General Secretary CAN; Alhaji Muhammed Abdul Salam, Deputy Chief Imam, National Mosque, Abuja.