Don’t spare those behind Southern Kaduna killings, CAN, JNI tell el-Rufai

KADUNA State chapters of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) and Jama’atul Nasirul Islam (JNI) have called on Governor Nasiru el-Rufai not to spare those behind Southern Kaduna crisis.

CAN and JNI made the call when Governor el-Rufai’s spokesman, Samuel Aruwan and former Governor Ramalan Yero’s spokesman, Ahmad Maiyaki, paid the associations separate advocacy visits in Kaduna, on Thursday,

Speaking, the CAN state secretary, Reverend Sunday Ibrahim, called on the state and federal governments to urgently prosecute those involved in the Southern Kaduna crisis.

Ibrahim appealed to people not to engage in reprisal attacks.

CAN secretary said: “Without peace, their will be no meaningful development in the society.”

He said that many developed nations had passed through this crisis before they became what they were today.

“I believe one day, it will be a history. I believe this government will prosecute whoever is involved and the perpetrators should face the full wrath of the law,” he said.

On his part, the JNI state secretary, Malam Ibrahim Kufena, called on clerics to desist from giving out casuality figures to avoid reprisal attacks.

“It is our duty to preach. Any true Muslim will not engage in crisis or kill a fellow human being,” he said.

Also speaking, Maiyaki, said despite political differences with the present government, he would team up with Governor el-Rufai for peace-building in the state.

He further called for the review of the old penal code to give severe punishment to perpetrators of the crisis.

Maiyaki urged the media to practice peace journalism rather than being sentimental and inciting in their reports.

“Any religious leader preaching hate and division is not representing his followers, but representing the devil.

“The persistent crisis in Kaduna State, which started before this government, has slowed down development of the state,

“Looking at the heterogeneous nature of people, they look at religious leaders for guidance. As such, clerics should preach peaceful coexistence,” he said.

Responding, Governor el-Rufai’s spokesman, Samuel Aruwan, said government had no other priority than peace and development.

According to Aruwan, “government is ready to take advice from religious leaders and other critical stakeholders to ensure that permanent peace returns to the state for speedy development.’’

“We are here on a peace advocacy visit to CAN and JNI to appreciate them. We hold religious bodies in high esteem and we appreciate their roles on peace-building and to ask them to do more for our people to leave in peace.”