Abstract
This paper examines the activities of the Ombatse cult group and the violent conflicts that occurred as a result of their activities which took place in some parts of Nasarawa State from 2011 – 2015. The aim of the study is to portray how Islam is against ethnic bigotry. It also intends solutions based on Islamic teachings on how to resolve disputes especially which is ethnically related. It also discussed its effects on Islam and Muslims in the State. The paper found out that peace is one of the basic tools for the development of any society, as Islam encourages peaceful co-existence among/between Muslims and non- Muslims as well as co-existence among other ethnic nationalities as Islam prohibits ethnicity and nationalism. Therefore, the paper further revealed that the major actors who participated in the crises were predominately Muslim youths from the ethnic groups involved in the violent conflict. The research also unveils the context and undertone which precipitated establishment and those who financed activities of Ombatse group in the areas studied. Regarding methodology, this study utilizes a qualitative technique. In-Depth Interviews (IDI) were conducted to obtain data for the study. The study concludes that some Muslim who are ignorant of the basic tenets of Islam were easily brainwashed to show allegiance to their ethnic identity than Islam. The Ombatse mobilized support along ethnic consciousness in order to achieve hidden political motives of those who initiated the cult group.
Highlights
In everyday life, there appear to be a rise in poverty, crimes, war and hatred, both within a community or society, and between societies and cultures
The most serious one that almost resulted to taking arms was between the Eggon and Lafia people in areas like Arugbadun Gona/Arikya communities which are occupied by Eggon people and closer to Nassarawa Eggon Local Government Area in terms of proximity than Lafia, but were merged with Lafia Local Government without taking into consideration the distance, linguistic and cultural differences with the people of Lafia
He is not one us who fights for the sake of tribalism. He is not one of us who dies following the way of tribalism (Sunan Abī Dāwūd 5102). It could be deduced from the above, the activities of the Ombatse cult is against the tenets of Islam which is regarded as shirk, and Islam strongly warn Muslim from engaging in any activity under whatsoever circumstance that amount to shirk
Summary
There appear to be a rise in poverty, crimes, war and hatred, both within a community or society, and between societies and cultures. The most serious one that almost resulted to taking arms was between the Eggon and Lafia people in areas like Arugbadun Gona/Arikya communities which are occupied by Eggon people and closer to Nassarawa Eggon Local Government Area in terms of proximity than Lafia, but were merged with Lafia Local Government without taking into consideration the distance, linguistic and cultural differences with the people of Lafia. It is against this backdrop that this paper placed the activities of the Ombatse within the context of Islam and analyzes it. It could be deduced from the above, the activities of the Ombatse cult is against the tenets of Islam which is regarded as shirk, and Islam strongly warn Muslim from engaging in any activity under whatsoever circumstance that amount to shirk
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