Elders Making Money from Conflict in Southern Kaduna, JNI Alleges

The Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar-led Jama’atu Nasril Islam (JNI) has said that, unguarded utterances of some citizens, including elder statesmen, whom it said were making economic fortunes out of the Southern Kaduna crisis, were making peace difficult in the region.

The apex Islamic body in the north, also said some individuals and groups it described as ‘crying more than the bereaved’ over Southern Kaduna killings, were sabotaging government’s efforts in bringing peace to the region.

JNI, which stated these yesterday in a press release signed by its Secretary-General, Dr. Khalid Abubakar Aliyu, however called on both the federal and state governments to act fast to ensure that such groups do not jeopardise the already fragile situation.

According to the statement, “It is very clear that some interest groups cried wolf than the bereaved in the present circumstance and thus, the need for government to quickly act before such interest groups exacerbate the already precarious situation that could jeopardize frantic efforts aimed at restoring law and order through dialogue and commitment for peace with all relevant stakeholders in the state.

“The JNI observed carefully with serious concern the unfortunate unfolding events of blood-lettingw and serial killings, as well as the resultant inflammatory commentaries being aired which are utterly condemnable in their entirety. We strongly believe that the politically-driven crisis is being deliberately turned into ethnoreligious conflict of worrisome dimension.

“Thus, we call for caution and restraint from all parties involved. It should however be noted that ethno-religious conflict isn’t easily manageable and hence, we must all rise to the occasion to forestall its recurrence in Kaduna State, as it is often said, a stitch in time saves nine!

“We have nonetheless observed with dismay the unguarded utterances of some citizens, including elder statesmen, who through the print, electronic and social media, are at best should be doing everything possible to curtail the tensed situation but instead prefer to serve as conflict entrepreneurs in exasperating the already worsened situation.

“Therefore, all hopes should not be lost in tackling the matter, government should do more and whosoever is found wanting should accordingly be brought to book, as Nigerians are tired of the lingering crises bedeviling the Southern Kaduna region and by extension the entire country.