Muslims in Southern Kaduna say thousands killed in religious crisis
- SOKAMUDA group says the lives were lost in not fewer than 15 religious crises in Southern Kaduna between 1980 and 2017
- The group says this is the first time that those who lost their lives have been remembered
- Chairman of SOKAMUDA Adamu Mohammed made the revelations on Saturday, May 20
Muslims in Southern Kaduna under the aegis of Southern Kaduna Muslim Ummah Development Association (SOKAMUDA) have said that no fewer than 5,000 faithful lost their lives in the area.
This worrying number of deaths, they say, is since the beginning of the religious crisis in 1980.
Nigerian Tribune reports that chairman of SOKAMUDA Alh Adamu Mohammed made this shocking revelation during the book presentation of 2011 post-election violence.
The event held at the Sardauna Memorial Foundation conference room on Saturday, May 20.
Mohammed said between 1980 and 2017, the faithful lost their lives while 15 crises were recorded in the state and 38 communities wiped out.
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He said: “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.”
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Mohammed said this is why SOKAMUDA is doing what it can to bring lasting peace, understanding and peace co-existence in the troubled areas.
Meanwhile, NAIJ.com reported earlier that Southern Kaduna in the Diaspora (SOKAD) had accused the presidency and government of Kaduna state of being biased regarding the plight of people in Southern Kaduna.
SOKAD said it has observed with dismay that the state and federal governments’ actions have clearly demonstrated a half-hearted and biased commitment to finding peace in the embattled region.
The group made their assertion known in an open letter to governor Nasiru Ahmed El’Rufai and made available to newsmen in Kaduna on Thursday, May 11.
The forum noted that in several instances, their actions have and continue to undermine the ability of the people to defend themselves.
Watch this NAIJ.com TV video of the devastation left behind by Fulani herdsmen in attacks on Southern Kaduna