Group protests against religious extremism in Nigeria, rejects trial of soldiers

Members of the Kaduna State Citizens for Peace (KSCP) on Tuesday  condemned religious extremism in the country.

In a rally to make known their demands, the group said, any attempt to persecute Nigerian soldiers when the same Sh’iite members are still roaming the street is to confirm insinuations in some quarters that the Islamic Movement of Nigeria has succeeded in instituting a government in Nigeria.

In a statement signed by its National President, Richard Augustine, KSCP said the activities of the Shiites members in the state has not been friendly adding that very soon, their “Armies” might freely carry out actions on Nigerians unhindered.

Last week, a constitutional lawyer, Mr Femi Falana had written to the Attorney General of the Federation to arraign military personnel involved in the clash with the sect.

According to him, the Shi’ite group embarked on a protest to the state government House but security operatives succeeded in blocking them along the Kashim Ibrahim House an indication that they are building up again accusing outsiders of empowering them.

“In fact security operatives are stopping them from going to the government house for a protest but the leaders are discussing with a detachment of both Police and Civil Defence Operatives along the Kashim Ibrahim house,” the group said.

He said the sufferings of previous religious crises are still being borne by the citizens of Kaduna. “We still suffer today even several years after fanatics scatter and destroyed our state. Whenever Kaduna is about to recover they will again spill blood. Each time the population starts uniting they will find division. Whenever we want to return to living as one they find problems for us. We have to end this and that is what must happen”.

Augustine noted with emphasis that it was planned that the Shi’ite problem in Zaria comes to other parts of Kaduna state.

“For several years, Zaria people lamented as they suffered under Shi’ite occupation run by Islamic Movement of Nigeria (IMN). We have feared what happened in December 2015 was a matter of time and we even feared it would spread to other parts of our state”.

The group said it demands justice for soldiers who lost their lives during the Shiite-Army clash in Zaria and also protest against the so called request made by the Shi’ite lawyer, Mr Femi Falana (SAN) who is asking the state to persecute soldiers that liberated them from IMN occupation”.