Imams in Kaduna demand arrest of Christian leaders over Southern Kaduna crisis

The Council of Imams and Ulama in Kaduna state has demanded the arrest and prosecution of the president of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) and others for the alleged escalation of the mayhem in Southern Kaduna.

The Imams in Kaduna said the statements by the Christian leaders provoked more violence

The part of Kaduna has since late 2016 witnessed heavy attacks and killings despite security deployment and curfew imposed by the government.

The Imams are insisting that the attacks on some villages in the area were heightened through inflammatory and false statements by those who they want arrested.

Vanguard reports that the Imams, at a press conference in Kaduna addressed by their chairman, Sheik Abubakar Babantune and secretary, Aminu Ibrahim, demanded that those to be arrested should include Rev Zacahriah Gado of 19 DCC Fellowship, the CAN president, Samson Ayokunle, CAN secretary-general Musa Asake, John Danfulani, and Solomon Musa, SOKAPU president.

The Imams insisted that the Christian leaders encouraged the killings of Muslims in the area, which they described as merciless massacre, through their comments.

The religious leaders also called for the arrest and prosecution of Danjuma La’ah, the senator representing the area, and Sunday Marshal-Katung, a member of the House of Representatives.

The council said those mentioned spread falsehood and encouraged residents to take up arms against each other.

The Imams also blamed the government for refusing to prosecute those behind previous crises in the area naming some of them as Zamani Lekwot and five others, who were found guilty and sentenced to death by Justice Okigbo tribunal over the Zangon Kataf crises.

“The white paper of the Judicial Commission of Inquiry into Kaduna state Religious Disturbances of 2001 recommended for further investigation and reprimand of Elder Saídu Dogo, Archbishop PY Jatau, Archbishop BA Achigili.

“The white paper on the report of the federal government Investigation Panel on the 2011 election violence and civil disturbances recommended among others for the police to investigate a History teacher that killed the father of his student in her presence,” the group said.

The council said it was in support of the federal and Kaduna state governments taking any measures legally to deal with any individual or group of persons found promoting further disturbances in the area.