The Islamic Forum of Nigeria has expressed serious concern over the recent Memorandum of Understanding signed between the Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Government of Israel, purportedly for security cooperation and intelligence sharing.
This is contained in a statement signed by the IFN Deputy National Chairman and Acting Executive Secretary, M.T. Bello and Dalhatu M. Gwarzo respectively and released to newsmen on Thursday.
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“At a time when the international community is grappling with the moral and legal implications of Israel’s ongoing atrocities in Gaza and the occupied Palestinian territories, Nigeria’s diplomatic overture to Tel Aviv is not only ill-timed, it is morally indefensible.
“Israel stands accused before the International Court of Justice for acts of genocide, mass starvation, and systematic torture of Palestinian civilians.
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“To align Nigeria with such a regime under the guise of security cooperation is to stain our national conscience and betray our long-standing commitment to justice, peace, and the dignity of all peoples.
“The Islamic Forum of Nigeria rejects the notion that Nigeria’s security challenges can be resolved through foreign entanglements with regimes facing global condemnation. True security lies in strengthening our own institutions, promoting inclusive governance, and addressing the root causes of violence i.e. poverty, corruption, and injustice.
However, if we are outsourcing our security to a foreign power accused of war crimes, Nigeria risks compromising its sovereignty, eroding accountability, and entrenching dependence on external actors whose interests may not align with our national values.
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The Group therefore called on the Federal Government to iImmediately suspend the implementation of the MoU with Israel and subject all foreign security agreements to legislative and civil oversight.
“Prioritize homegrown solutions to insecurity rooted in community engagement and social cohesion. Nigeria must not be complicit in the crimes of others. Our foreign policy must reflect the moral aspirations of our people, not the expediency of power politics,” the statement added.
