• As Kaduna bans religious protests, to punish violators
By Paul Michael, Defence Editor, Abuja
Nigeria Ethnic Nationalities Youths Leaders Council (NENYLC) has called on President Muhammadu Buhari to declare a state of emergency In Sokoto due to religious riot and protests that followed the condemnation and arrest of suspects behind the gruesome murder of Deborah Samuel.
Some placard-carrying Muslim youths began a protest in Sokoto on Saturday morning and demanded the release of two suspects arrested in connection with the gruesome murder of Deborah, a 200-level Home Economics student of Shehu Shagari College of Education in Sokoto.
Some of the protesters besieged the palace of Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, the Sultan of Sokoto and the highest spiritual figure among Muslims in Nigeria, after he condemned the killing and demanded those involved face justice.
Governor of the State, Aminu Tambuwal has already declared a 24-hour curfew.
Deborah was mauled and burnt to death on Thursday on the school premises for alleged blasphemy of Prophet Muhammad (SAW).
NENYLC, a coalition of over 407 Ethnic groups, condemned the murder and called for justice, saying all the perpetrators should be brought to book accordingly.
In a statement signed by its president general, Comr Terry Obieh and Secretary, Aare Oladotun Hassan, the group called on Nigerians to shun religious and ethnic bigotry and embrace tolerance and harmony while asking the President to declare a state of emergency.
The statement reads, “As we all reflect and condemned the gruesome murder of Deborah in an institution of higher learning in Sokoto, over religious intolerance, very important to call Nigerians to shun all forms of religious and Ethnic bigotry, while maintaining peaceful coexistence, religious tolerance and harmony respectively.
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“We condemn in strong terms this dastardly act, while calling on the authority to prosecute and melt out appropriate sanctions to everyone involved in the heinous crimes.
“It’s worthy of note that Sokoto State being the supreme custodian of Islamic religious practices in the northern part of the country is highly sensitive to ignite religious and consequential Ethnic wars and uncontrollable attritions, if the current hydraheaded spiral mass protests leading to burning of the Sokoto Arch Diocese Catholic Church headed by Rev. Father Matthew Kukah, while private homes and lives of innocent Nigerians are being attacked by the rampaging youths in Sokoto, precipitating our unanimous resolution to call on President Muhammadu Buhari to declare State of Emergency and Dusk to Dawn curfew in the entire Sokoto State and any other vulnerable States respectively.
“We further reiterate the need for the FG and Governor Aminu Tambuwal of Sokoto State to genuinely explore the use of the instrumentality of the law to bring the culprits to justice, while all security agencies must rise up to their duties before it gets out of hands.”
Meanwhile, the Kaduna State Government, in consultation with security agencies under the umbrella of the Kaduna State Security Council, has placed a ban on protests related to religious activity throughout the State with immediate effect.
A statement signed by Samuel Aruwan, Commissioner, Ministry of Internal Security and Home Affairs, on Saturday, said the prohibition becomes imperative in view of moves by some unpatriotic elements to organize series of for-and-against protests following the murder of Deborah in Sokoto State and the subsequent arrest of some of the suspected killers.
Aruwan said, “Governor Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai who has been briefed of the development, has charged security agencies to ensure strict enforcement of this ban against any form of religious protest in the State.
“The Governor also charged religious leaders, community leaders and traditional rulers throughout the State to complement the efforts of government and security agencies towards the maintenance of peace and stability.
“Security agencies have thus resolved that any attempt by individuals or groups to disrupt the peace and stability of the State, by way of religious protests, will not be condoned. Such protests will be promptly halted, and conveners prosecuted.”
He urged residents of the state to remain calm as they go about their lawful pursuits, and to immediately report any such activity or security concern to the Kaduna State Security Operations Room, on 09034000060 and 08170189999.
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