Governor El-Rufai Blames Southern Kaduna Killings On ‘Reckless Statements’ By Religious Leaders

Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai claims that the “reckless statements” by some religious leaders is the real cause of the unending killings in southern part of the state.

El-Rufai stated this while speaking to journalists after the National Chairman of Jama’atul Izalatul Bid’ah wa Iqamatul Sunnah, Sheikh Abdullahi Lau, and other Izala leaders paid him a visit on Saturday, September 5, 2020.

“We also solicited their support and prayers to see the end of this crisis because we are of the strong view that at the bottom of this crisis are the reckless statements of some religious leaders.

“If religious leaders decide firmly that people should live in peace and preach that consistently, it will lead to peaceful coexistence in our state,” he said.

The governor also insisted that the root of the crisis in southern Kaduna “lies in differences in religion and ethnicity. And religious leaders can play a very unifying or divisive role. What we have witnessed in the last few years is that they have been playing a more divisive than a unifying role.

“That is why we welcome the outreach by religious leaders and we presented them with all the facts, and for them to use the holy books to guide how they will preach to their congregations.”

El-Rufai noted that the Izala leaders came to be briefed on the security situation in the state, adding that they received briefings from the Commissioner of Internal Security as well as the Deputy Governor.

KanyiDaily recalls that Governor El-Rufai had also alleged that Southern Kaduna leaders were lying about the situation of things in region, adding that he would ensure they were arrested and duly prosecuted for prolonging the crisis.