Religious Violence in Contemporary Nigeria: Implications and Options for Peace and Stability Order

Abstract

The article looks at the rising incidence of religious violence in Nigeria. It also investigates the causes and the implications of religious violence for a peace and stability order in contemporary Nigeria. The prospect for combating this religious violence is equally examined. The method of approach is purely from written sources which comprise of documents, monographs, manuscripts, books, journals as well as magazines. The study reveals that the religious violence in Nigeria has claimed many lives and property worth billions of Naira. The violence has not helped in the growth and development of the nation. However, education, tolerance, dialogue and reconciliation among others should serve as tools with which to douse the social violence that emerges from the practice of religion in Nigeria. This will ensure peaceful co-existence of Christians, Muslims, Traditionalists and members of other religions. This would also help in the restoration of a peace, security, growth and stability order in Nigeria as a nation.

Keywords: violence, Religious, Contemporary, Nigeria, Peace, Stability Order