By Ojo Sola Olusegun
Kaduna
People lost their lives during the recent sectarian crisis in Kachia, Kaduna state, due to disobedience to security agents and breaking the curfew imposed by the government on the area and not fighting between religious groups, the Kachia Muslim community has said.
The spokesperson of Muslims community in Kachia, Malam Idris Suleiman, the four Muslims who were confirmed to have died during the crisis, went out during the 24 hours curfew imposed on the town following which they met their death outside their houses.
He said: “All those who lost their lives were as a result of their flagrant disrespect to armed men and their apparent non-compliance to the 24 hour curfew imposed on the town by the authorities.
“It is instructive to note that no Christian lost his live from a physical combat with the Muslims. Some Muslims however lost their lives when they had to cross a Christian dominated area at the outskirts to come into the town.”
The group commended the efforts of Governor Mukhtar Yero, the police command, the military, the Kachia local government chairman and other concerned stakeholders in promptly bringing the situation under control.
“It is certainly inconceivable and defies every reason that only Muslims were involved in the crises. It was gathered that about 37 suspected Christian youths were released in the police station, Kachia.
“Although quite a number of the arrested people were later on discharged but this action, whatever its motive, has deprived the authority to catch those responsible, Muslim or Christian, and face the law of the land.”
The Muslim group called for the arrest of everybody involved in the crisis, including the Christian youth, “so that they can face the full wrath of the law.”
