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Fresh Row over Kafanchan Sallah ‘Reception’
Newsdiaryonline Fri Sep 2,2011
Even the Police Commissioner told reporters there was ‘problem’
in Kafanchan in the aftermath of
the eid il fitr sallah visit by Deputy Governor
Mukhtar Ramalan Yero.Bu
the entire incident appears to be degenerating into a row or a
game of denial by the state official especially the office of
the deputy governor. Press Secretary to the deputy Governor
Kabir Shehu Kaura in a statement today said
there was actually no
reception was held for his boss in Kafanahan.He said
while denying reports of skirmishes that he was only
there to represent the governor at the traditional sallah
homage.The deputy governors seemed
to sense his political
detractors are at work as he said reports about skirmishes
were meant to
tarnish his image.
The CPS said his boss
“was in Kafanchan to
represent the Executive Governor, Sir Patrick Ibrahim Yakowa at
a traditional sallah homage which is a yearly occasion organized
by the Emir of Jama’a, Alhaji Mohammadu Isa Mohammadu. It was
done successfully and free from any rancor.
“However, after the event, a report came to the Deputy Governor
that a woman was hit by a car along the main road of Kafanchan
town and that the woman was rushed to the Kafanchan General
Hospital where she is currently responding to treatment.
“No death was recorded as reported by the national daily paper
during the occasion and the car that hit the woman was not from
the convoy of the Deputy Governor” In an earlier report two
women who were hit by a vehicle as a result of reckless driving
by those on the entourage of the Emir died.
In spite of the
Deputy Governor’s denial the
Southern Kaduna Progressive Alliance (SKAPA) placed the blame
squarely on him
accusing the deputy governor of
being failing to take the feeling of non Muslims in the
town by allowing the procession to veer into
areas the Emir lacks jurisdiction.
Interestingly Kaduna
state police Command earlier confirmed
that some women were knocked down and that there was indeed
trouble in the town during the reception. The state Commissioner
of Police, Bala Mohammed Nasarawa had said that “the Commandant
there called me to inform me that there was some problem there.
But I don’t know if there was any incident of death. But there
is problem there”.
He later referred
reporters to the command Spokesman, DSP Aminu Lawal, who
confirmed the incident but added
that only one woman was knocked down by a car and was
receiving treatment in the hospital.
In the words of , “the Deputy Governor of
Kaduna state was being hosted in the traditional Sallah
reception at Kafanchan by the Emir of Kafanchan, Alh. Mohammed
Isa Mohammed. He had a long entourage. Then someone drove
recklessly and hit a woman.
“I am not told that she is dead, but she was taken to the
hospital. Two other people were manhandled when some youths took
the law into their hands. But we have quickly moved in and
restored law and order. From what I am told, three people are
hospitalised over the incident”
In its response how
Southern Kaduna Progressive Alliance (SKAPA) blamed the
insensitivity of the Deputy Governor, and accused soldiers in
Kafanchan of deliberately hunting and dehumanising residents of
the town. A statement SKAPA Chairman, Major George Asake (rtd)
picked holes in “the
rowdy Sallah Procession that took place yesterday (Wednesday)
at Garage, Fanstuam Chiefdom in Kafanchan, which
predictably, turned
violent, leading to severe injuries on some three women.
“We also kick against reported cruel treatment of Kafanchan
residents by soldiers deployed to keep peace. Everyday, we get
reports of soldiers breaking into peoples homes, bringing out
people and dehumanising them, apart from the daily battery
people get from their hands unjustly. We call on the military
authority to look into these claims.
“On the Sallah
Procession, we see no reason why, at this time when tension is
high in the Kafanchan, the Deputy Governor of Kaduna state, Alh.
Ramalan Yero, should insist that the Emir of Jema’a Alh.
Mohammed Isa Mohammed hold his Sallah celebration in the
Fantsuam Chiefdom, where the emir does not have a jurisdiction.
“Though the Governor’s Guest House where the Deputy Governor was
waiting to be feted by the Emir is in Garage, Fantswuan
Chiefdom, he should have simply gone to the Emir’s Palace to
show that he respects the sensibilities of non-Muslims who
dominate the already tense Fantswuam chiefdom.
“SKAPA would also condemn any Christian procession into the
Emirate of Jema’a at this period of mutual mistrust.The
entourage of the Emir was made up of unruly youths, shouting
insulting slogans, recklessly driving vehicles and riding
motorbikes to deliberately provoke non-Muslims as they
triumphantly intruded into Fantsuam chiefdom on their way to
meet Ramalan.
“The Soldiers drafted to maintain security in Kafanchan, acted
as personal guards to these lawless entourage, mercilessly
beating up anyone on the other side who as much as expressed
disapproval loudly enough to be heard.
“Soon, as the Kaduna State Police Public Relations Officer, ASP
Lawal Aminu said in the papers today (yesterday), one of the
vehicles knocked down a non-Muslim woman, leading to her
securing fatal
injuries. According to him, a skirmished ensued between the two
camps and two more women suffered serious injuries.
The three are still taking treatment at the Kafanchan
General Hospital.
“SKAPA puts the blame of this incident on the Deputy Governor.
He did not show any regards or respect to the feelings of the
people of Fantsuam Chiefdom. He also allowed the creation of a
situation that could have led to the total breakdown of law and
order, at a time that we seeking for reconciliation among all
“His Excellency did not act as the number two security chief
officer in the state. We call on him to apologise to the
Fantswuam people and to take full medical care of these women
and compensate them adequately.”
This row broke out at a time the Arewa Consultative forum ACF
expressed dismay over the endless fighting in Jos.In a statement
today its spokesman Anthony Sani said “Arewa Consultative
Forum is sad over reports that the sectarian crises in Jos have
resumed vigorously with circle of revenges in scale that unleash
untold hardship on innocent people of Jos.
“These attitudes and actions by the feuding members of the two
religions groups are in clear violation of the teachings by all
faiths, including Islam and Christianity, which preach peace,
love and tolerance, as well as core values of humanity.
“There is no fact of history which suggests that conflicts are
ever resolved to attain permanent peace through armed struggles.
This is because peace which all religions teach come only
through peace talks that bring about genuine reconciliations
that go with true forgiveness.
The forum
added
that “For the sake of one God whom we all profess to worship,
and in the interest of peaceful coexistence needed for the
socioeconomic development of our nation, ACF appeals to all the
warring factions in Jos conflicts to please sheathe their swords
and embrace peace that comes with reconciliations and
forgiveness.
“ACF says this because unending resort to an eye for an eye can
only leave all of us blind eventually. Enough of the mindless,
unreligious carnages in Jos, Plateau state of Nigeria.
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