PRESS STATEMENT

*MICA KADUNA SUES FOR PEACEFUL CO-EXISTENCE AMONGST KADUNA RESIDENTS.*

Movement for Islamic Culture and Awareness (MICA)Kaduna observes with dismay, the recent descent into knavery and anarchy which has shattered the peace enjoyed by all law abiding residents for a long while.

MICA implores all law abiding and peace-loving people of Kaduna state to shun mischief, avoid fake news emanating from vile sources and embrace peace.
Fake news no doubt,has principally fuelled the current orgy of wanton loss of lives and destruction of properties. This calls for serious concerns among the peaceful residents of Kaduna.

MICA Kaduna in clear terms condemn the wanton destruction and mindless killings of innocent people in some parts of Kaduna,we call on the Kaduna state government to ensure the perpetrators of this dastardly act are brought to book. The state cannot be suffering from community violence owing to the greed of miscreants amongst us who feed heavily on roguery and smile to bank at the expense of others.

This community violence in kasuwar Magani should not be mistaken for ethno-religious crisis. The ethno-religious narrative supported with images are used to foul up the discussion to cause distrust and disharmony among the people by the enemies of peace and developement in the state.

While we appreciate the present administration's swift and prompt action in curbing the spread of violence by imposing a 24-hour curfew on the state, we however demand unequivocally that a security summit be convened to allow youths who are the arrowheads and fooder of perennial crisis be asked to chart the best course of action.

However, as a group of professionals , our observation shows that the continued enforcement of the sit-at-home directive by the state government, is not unconnected to the activities of hoodlums influenced by illicit drugs,who haven't had field day snatching people's possessions.

We also realized that hate speeches emanating from worship centres and from among political gladiators in the state are cinders for continued bedlam. These have contributed to the misbehavior of teeming youths across the state .

Furthermore, the undesirable criminal elements among us are traceable to certain families or clans.These elements cause mayhem and take to their heels while innocent bystanders,commuters and members of the society are made to suffer for their sins.This is unacceptable and fall short of global best practices.

We commiserate with the people of Adara and the entire Kajuru Local Government Area over the demise of the paramount chief of Adara chiefdom, HRH Agom Adara, Dr.Maiwada Galadima (JP) gruesomely murdered following his abduction.

We equally thank the Nigerian Police, Civil Defence, the military and indeed all voluntary security operatives for swinging into action, we will appreciate increased surveillance on flashpoints within the state.

It is against this backdrop that, MICA Kaduna demands:

1. The security apparatus in the state should ensure those involved in the killing of the Agom Adara be apprehended and prosecuted accordingly.

2. We call on the state government to go after the perpetrators of the mayhem at Kasuwar Magani.

3. Spread of fake news from unverified social media platforms be tracked and those responsible for the spread of such news be brought to book.

4. Drug addicts in public places,nooks and parks be arrested and punished according to the laws of the land.

5. A Truth and Reconciliation Commission be set up as lasting panacea to the lingering clash.

6. Let adherents of the diverse faiths eschew intolerance, religious extremism and ethnic bigotry.

7. We also urge the security architecture in the state to ensure security presence at all junctions even after the relaxation of curfew for a considerable period of time.

8. We align our thoughts with the state government on the need to hold community and opinion leaders responsible for needless crisis in their domains.


Signed:
*ABU NI'IMAH*
*SECRETARY, MICA KADUNA*

It is our hope that the government will take heed of this advice. The state Government needs to take deliberate and comprehensive measures to address the deep discord between the different tribes in Kaduna. A truth and reconciliation commission needs to be setup.

May almighty Allah restore peace in Kaduna state.

Koltech:
May almighty Allah restore peace in Kaduna state.

Ameen