Southern Kaduna: MURIC condemns fresh attacks on Hausa-Fulani Muslims, demands long-term military presence

The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has condemned the fresh attacks visited on Hausa-Fulani Muslims of Southern Kaduna allegedly by Atyap militias, describing them as a violation of the recent peace pact.

This much was contained in a statement signed by its Director, Professor Lakin Akintola, on Monday, noting that both local and international observers must hold the Christian Atyap militias responsible for exhuming the vicious cycle of blood-shedding after the peace pact.

According to the statement, “The Nigerian Muslim rights group, Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC), has condemned the guerilla-style killing of Muslims and Fulanis in Zangon Kataf. The killings occurred on 8th and 9th September, 2020 thereby violating the peace pact of 22nd August, 2020.

“Christian youths of Zangon Kataf have violated the 22nd August, 2020 peace pact initiated by the Agwa Atyap, Sir Dominic Gambo Yahaya between the Atyap and Hausa/Fulani. The breach occurred on Tuesday 8th September, 2020 when they launched guerrilla-like attacks on Muslims and Fulanis.

“The attacks resulted in the killing of three unarmed and defenseless Fulani near Gora Gan. Those killed were Abdullahi Hassan, Yusuf Hassan Sogiji and Abubakar Hassan. Two other Fulani men, Musa Hassan and his father, Malam Hassan are still being treated in Jama’a Clinic in Zonkwa after sustaining various degrees of injuries during the attack.

“Another Fulani Muslim, AbdulRashid Lawal Malan was killed by the Christian Kataf militia the following day, Wednesday, 9th September, 2020 in Kurmin Masara, near Bakin Kogi bridge. Maitalata Idris Narutu, a Fulani and native of Zango urban, who lives in Dokan Lere narrowly escaped being killed when his car was stopped at an illegal roadblock mounted by Atyap youth militia.

“The setting up of roadblocks by the youth militia contravenes the terms of the peace pact entered on 22nd August, 2020. Both local and international stakeholders must hold the Christian Atyap militia of Southern Kaduna responsible for starting the vicious cycle of blood-shedding after the recent peace pact.

MURIC, meanwhile, advocated a long-term military presence in the area until peace is restored, just as it charged the soldiers and security agencies drafted to the community to step up in enforcing law and order.

“MURIC strongly condemns these killings and attacks on law-abiding Muslims. We call for stronger presence of security agents. It is high time soldiers are drafted to Southern Kaduna to enforce law and order. We advocate long term military presence until the inhabitants of Southern Kaduna learn how to peacefully coexist.

“As an organization whose motto is ‘Dialogue, No Violence’, we frown at violence in all its ramifications. We are fully committed to a peaceful approach to the Southern Kaduna crisis. We therefore call on both parties to sheath their swords.”

By Abdul Waheed Shotonwa