NAN-H-93
Prosecution
By Suleiman Shehu
Ibadan, Jan. 12, 2016 (NAN) The Nigeria Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), has condemned the killings in Southern Kaduna and urged the Federal Government to ensure that the perpetrators were prosecuted.
This is contained in a statement issued by NSCIA’s Director of Administration, Ustaz Isa Okonkwo and made available to newsmen in Ibadan on Thursday.
Okonkwo advised the federal and Kaduna state governments to approach the conflict in Southern Kaduna holistically with a view to bringing perpetrators to justice so as to prevent reoccurrence.
The group urged the government to put machinery in place to determine the causes of the conflicts and the victims.
“ Those who suffered human and material losses during the event of Dec. 26, 2016, should be adequately compensated and rehabilitated.
Such gesture should be extended to those who experienced similar losses during the massacre of April 2011.
“Constructive peace-building must be embarked upon by Kaduna state government with a view to putting an end to the notions of indigenes and settlers among the citizens in Southern Kaduna.
“The Kaduna state government should tap into some of the recommendations of the 2013 National Conference with a view to implementing aspects relating to establishment of grazing reserves’’, NSCIA said.
The group urged the Kaduna State government to constitute truth and reconciliation commission with fair representation of all stakeholders to work toward ensuring lasting peace in Southern Kaduna.
“We commend the armed forces for their gallantry and sense of duty in combating the menace of the Boko Haram in the North-East.
“Ridding the nation of weaponry and illegal arms and ammunition remains an engaging and an urgent task.
“The NSCIA believes that no nation can thrive where injustice and hatred for the other, be it religious or ethnic, are given free rein.
“We commiserate with all those who suffered untold loss of lives and property in the event of Dec. 26, 2016’’, NSCIA said.
It hoped the nation would learn from the unfortunate event in order to chart a better course for the present and the future. (NAN)
SYS/AK/IEA
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Edited by Akin Makanjuola/Idahosa Asowata