The Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs has appealed to Muslims to be patient and not take laws into their hands through retaliatory action over alleged burning of a mosque in Onitsha.

Such action is against the injunction of Allah, the group said.

Briefing reporters on Friday, the Secretary-General of the body, Professor Isiaq Oloyede, pointed out that those responsible for the burning of the mosque in Onitsha could not claim to be fighting for the benefit of the generality of their people by attacking religious houses.

He stressed that no religion supports destruction of religious houses, but also urged Muslims to avoid any act that could ignite religious crisis.

The Secretary-General assured Muslims that the body was on top of the situation and appealed to imams throughout the country to preach peaceful co-existence to foster unity and avoid reprisal attacks on churches.

Professor Oloyede’s statements are aimed at cushioning the rage that an alleged burning of a mosque in Onitsha in Anambra State, south-east Nigeria may have caused.

A group seeking secession from Nigeria and the establishment of a Biafra state  is said to have torched a a mosque in the commercial city in Anambra State.