The Deputy President of the Senate, Dr. Ike Ekweremadu has urged religious and political leaders to caution their followers against hate speeches capable of causing violence in the country.
Ekweremadu made the call Tuesday while presiding at the plenary following a motion of matter of urgent national importance raised by Senator Shehu Sani (Kaduna Central) on the bloody violence that resulted to killings of seven persons during Monday violence between Kadara and Hausa youths at Kasuwan Magani town in Kajuru local government area of Kaduna State,
Ekweremadu, who commiserated with the Kaduna State government and families of victims, expressed concern over the alleged religious coloration of the violence.
He particularly urged religious leaders to always preach about love, peace and unity of the country among their followers, pointing out that nothing instigated and escalated crisis more than inflammatory utterances.
“It is the duty of our leaders, both religious and political ones to preach to our people that we are one with one destiny and one God that we all serve.
“I am not aware of any religion that preaches killings. There is no religion like that. We should try as much as possible not to encourage religious violence in the country”, he advised.
Earlier, Senator Sani was worried about escalating crises in the country, especially in Kaduna State where five to six people were killed and several houses burnt during the latest violence.
According to him, the Monday violence was attributed to some youths who took laws into their hands as a result of religious issues.
He said: “Unfortunately, violence is fast becoming a way of life in Nigeria as we wake up every day to hear about killings, kidnappings and others. There is need to put an end to all these. We need to ensure peace and unity in the country.
“I would like to appreciate the security operatives who rise to the occasion by putting the violence under control”.
Meanwhile, the state governor, Malam Nasir El-Rufai has directed the prosecution of all persons responsible for the mayhem, insisting that the security agencies must investigate the incident, arrest and make the perpetrators available for prosecution.
The governor, according to a statement by his spokesman, Mr. Samuel Aruwan, gave the directive shortly after receiving preliminary report of the mayhem.
Governor el-Rufai said he has directed the State Emergency Management Agency, SEMA to take inventory of damages and provide relief materials with immediate effect.
He, however, condemned the violence, and regrets the wanton loss of lives, and therefore expressed sympathy to the victims and their families.
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