5,000 Muslims killed in Southern Kaduna since 1980 ―SOKAMUDA

The Southern Kaduna Muslim Ummah Development Association (SOKAMUDA) has said 5,000 compatriots lost their lives in Southern Kaduna since the eruption of the crisis in 1980.

This assertion was made by the Chairman of SOKAMUDA, Alh Adamu Mohammed at the maiden seminar and book presentation of 2011 post-election violence which took place at the Sardauna Memorial Foundation conference room on Saturday.

Mohammed who also holds the traditional title of Marafan Kagarko noted that within 1980 to 2017, 5,000 Muslims lost their lives, 15 crises were recorded in the state and 38 communities wiped out.

“Today is the first in history of Muslims from Southern Kaduna coming together to remember their compatriots that lost their lives in avoidable crisis.”

“It is on record that 15 crises occurred in the state from 1980 to 2017, in those unfortunate instances, where over 5,000 precious lives were lost, over 38 sedentary communities were displaced, and properties worth billions of naira were equally lost.”

According to him, it was based on this premise that SOKAMUDA is doing everything within its power to bring lasting peace, understanding and peace co-existence in the troubled areas.

To this end, the association appealed to the state government to ensure the implementation of the released White papers on the crisis by apprehending and punishing the culprits.

He also implored state government to pay adequate compensation for the loss of lives, properties, and means of livelihoods.

Also speaking at the occasion, the chairman of the occasion, Professor Suleiman Bello, Director of Arewa House Kaduna contended that there is a fundamental problem if people were asked to leave an area on the basis of tribe or religion.

“If every tribe in Nigeria will do the same then there will no peace in our land.”

He commended the association for organizing the event as it would assist the government and security agencies to explore ways in bringing peace in the area.

While calling for justice on the people that were affected in the crisis, he warned against politicizing the southern Kaduna crisis for self-gains.