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Victims of Riots: Their Pains, Woes And Regrets

This Day (Lagos)
COLUMN
June 7, 2004
Posted to the web June 7, 2004
Lagos

Since 1953 when the first religious riot rocked Kano, northern cities and Nigeria as a whole have not been the same again. These crises have also produced a numerous ophans and voiceless children who have become forgotten victims of social dislocation. Andrew Ahiante writes

For Godswill Gwanzang Elisha, never again will he go to his home state, Kaduna. Located at the North Central part of the nation, the state has witnessed one of the most critical, tensed and fearful atmosphere in recent times. For children, the sight of people armed with daggers, sound of guns, constitute night mere and must be avoided by all means. Some of them are witnesses to horrible and macabre killings that have charaterised all the religion and ethnic riots in Kano, Kaduna and Plateau.

This is the situation Godswill has found himself and the taught of going back to Kaduna brings to him memories of his late parents, displaced siblings, among others.

Godswill, 11, a Junior Secondary School One (JSS1) of the Stephen Centre International, Abeokuta, Ogun State, was in Primary three at the Bedrock International School at his Zango Kataf Local Government Area, Kaduna, when the 2000 religious riot broke out.

"My father was an active Christian community leader. He had a broken leg. When he heard that rioters were around, he came out to help rescue those already trapped. Three of them were going but when the other two saw the rioters coming they ran away, My father could not run because of his bad leg. They caught him, killed him, and poured petrol on him before setting him ablaze", Godswill recalled, revealing that since then, his family had scattered. He said some people introduced his mother to the Voice of Christian Martyrs a non-profit organisation, which took him to Abeokuta. Little Godswill expressed gratitude to the group, but dismissed returning to Kaduna again.

"I don't want to go back to Kaduna any longer. I may visit there and come back but I will not like to stay there", he emphasised.

Benjamin Mogaji, 10, is in Primary three. Also from Kaduna, he said, his father was a soldier in the Nigerian Army before he was killed by the rioters in 2000.

"During the riot, the protesters surrounded our house. They couldn't enter our house so my father said he would prefer to die for the whole family so that my mother can take care of us. He was shot in the stomach; they rushed in and killed my little sister and I fell into the burning fire but I was saved by my brother who was later killed". In all, little Benjamin said eight members of their family were killed in the riot.

"My mother was stabbed twice but she was saved. So it remains myself, mother and my eldersister who was not around during the riot", Benjamin recalled, while also expressing his gratitude and appreciation to the Voice of the Christian Martyrs.

Like Godswill, Lazarus Istifanus, 12, is in JSS1. Also from Zango Kataf, he said, his father was an active member of Evangelical Church of West Africa (ECWA),

Kaduna. He told THISDAY that during the riot, we were kept in one house while my father stood outside as a watchman to inform us when the rioters are coming. The rioters met him outside and poured petrol on him and burnt him to death. So when we heard this we all ran away. I was brought to Stephen Centre International Abeokuta by the same organisation. Her take care of my feeding, clothing and education free of charge. May God continue to bless them", he prayed.

For Nancy Nyeri Victor, 10, female, a Primary four pupil also brought to Stephen Centre Int'l Abeokuta by Voice of the Christian Martyrs, Nigeria, her father was a pastor in Alheri Baptist Church in the Army Barracks.

"He was a soldier in the Nigeria Army. He was killed when he was coming from work during the Kaduna 2002 riot", she further said, providing insight as to how her father met the waterloo in the hands of the rampaging Islamic extremists.

Tabitah Osu, female, 12 and primary five pupil is from Gwari local government area. She explained that her father was a vehicle repairer.

"He had a bad leg so he uses stick to support himself, during the crisis, the rioters meet him and my uncle who was helping him where he was easing himself. He asked my uncle to put him down. It was there the rioters caught up with him and poured petrol on him and he was burnt to death", she said.

These are some of the more than thousands displaced children displaced by the religious crisis across the northern part of the country being more notorious.

From Kano to Sokoto, Kaduna to Kebbi, Bauchi, Taraba, and Plateau to name a few, the story is the same. Killings, maiming, and kidnapping. These have been the lots of the ordinary citizens of the area. Mostly affected are Christians irrespective of tribe or race. If you are a southerner leaving in the area, the situation is worse. Even soldiers with all their training are unable to escape the ravaging youths turned terrorists who take delight in killing their neighbours in the name of religion.

According to Reverend Isaac Oluwole Newton-Wusu, Director of the Voice of Christian Martyrs, Nigeria, the first problem encountered when the children were brought to Abeokuta, was that of communication. In all, there are 20 children, 11 boys, nine girls, a number the centre can afford to manage.

For the children who were born and brought in a traditional setting, where the local language is entirely the official means of communication, teaching, among others, Abeokuta was totally another arena, where English and Yoruba are used. He descibed his vocation as the best way to be truly a Christian.

"Goodnews hardly find a space in the media, if you wish to be seen on the front age of newspapers, take to crime, rape an innocent girl, shoot people on the streets, your name will be on the front page next day. But choose to feed the poor, embark on good activities to help humanity, your name will be written off", he said.

Thus, the recent riots in Kano and Plateau States offered the group another opportunity to render helping hand to the needy. Newton-Wusu explained that the Voice of the Christian Martyrs has sent some relief material worth N50 million to the victims. The materials include bags of rice, beans, garri, clothes and other household items.

"In recent days, there has been series of religious riots across the northern states of Nigeria. In every riot, precious lives were lost, property worth several millions of naira destroyed. Religious sanctuaries are defied and burnt. Worst of all these, hundred of children, the future hope of our great country are made orphans and fatherless. Such are the tale of the recent riots of Plateau and Kano, where about 60,000 persons have been displaced at the moment", he declared. He charged Christians worldwide and Nigerians in particular, on the plights of the displaced people in both states, calling for assistance to resettle the victims. He said his organisation was already taken care of 20 orphans of the year 2000 Kaduna riots, stressing that he would soon accommodate ten more.

"For the past three years now, we are keeping 20 special children of Kaduna 2000 riots. All of them lost their parents to the riots. They are receiving education and boarding at the Stephen Centre International Schools, Abeokuta. These children are growing strong in knowledge each day", he said.

Among other projects of the organisation, he revealed, include plans to set up ten computers, in addition to some dozens of sewing machines to train widows of the riots and their dependence, who member are growing everyday as a result of the Plateau and Kano rioters.

"We will still ask concerned Nigerians to come forward and help our children", he further solicited, while challenging Christians on the need to respond to the plights of these vulnerable children, widows and widowers.

But how did all start? The first ethno-religious crisis was said to have been recorded before the nation got its independence. It was in 1953. Another followed in 1966, 80, 85, 91, 95, 99, 2001 and 2004. But from 1987 to date ethno-religious crises have become common phenomena in the northern parts of Nigeria. The most offending states being Kaduna, Kano, Bauchi, Taraba and Plateau. Between 1987 and 2004 thousands of people have lost their lives and property worth billions of naira destroyed.

Recently the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), said over 3,000 people are still missing in the uprising in Plateau state, while in Kano over 7, 000 are not yet accounted for.

CAN said at each interval, large sums of money which would have been used to provide social amenities and needed infrastructures, are spent in alleviating the sufferings of victims of the crises.

The most unfortunate aspect of the crises is that those who planned and ignited them were never found nor brought to book, a situation which CAN attributed to either because of the 'sacred cow' syndrome prevalent in the society or consideration of political expediency.

"Today, we are not only being denied freedom of worship, but also freedom of association. We were told at the early stage of the Sharia introduction that it will not affect non-Muslims. We can tell you without fear of contradiction that this is far from the truth. For example, while Churches have been demolished in some of the Sharia states, a number of others have also been marked out for demolition in Zamfara State. The case in Kano has been worst", Reverend Yakubu Pam and Elder Saidu Dogo, CAN northern executives disclosed at press conference penultimate week, in Lagos.

Among other issues affecting their members include the refusal to grant Certificate of Ownership (C of Os) for the building of Churches, refusal to grant and assign burial grounds to Christians, refusal to grant fairly and justly radio and TV times to Christians in contrast to Muslims privileges in these states.

Others include the refusal to allow the teaching of Christian religious Knowledge in government institutions, discrimination against Christians in matters of state appointments and promotions, use of government funds to promote Islam and Islamic institutions against those of Christians and the incessant killing of Christians and burning of Christian Churches, institutions and houses, at the slightest act of provocation even when such acts do not originate from Christian circles.

"We believe that we are equal stakeholders in the Nigerian enterprise. If this is so we want to ask; why are Christians being denied plots of land...", the group queried? Rather, they said, the Churches already built were being pulled down. According to the CAN executive, no single plot of land has been allocated to Christians to build worship centers in any of the northern states for the past 35 years.

"Yet, when it comes to the predominantly Christian States, lands are being allocated for the construction of Mosques. Not only that, we are deprived of land which naturally belongs to us as equal stakeholders. Our people, no matter how educated and qualified, are marginalised and denied access into certain political offices, for the simple reason that, they are Christians. Are the authorities not aware of this and what are they doing to address this situation", they further queried. CAN debunked the linking of the Plateau State crisis to religion, citing behind it, ownership of land, political manipulations, among others as being.

"The Plateau crises have consistently been traced to the issue of indigene and non-indigene factor. We have listened and read about different opinions and reasons advanced by both government officials and individuals about the root causes of the crises in Plateau State. We want to categorically state here that, the causes of the crisis in Plateau State are not religious or ethnic. Rather, we can say without fear of contradiction that the causes of the crisis in Plateau State are mainly that of ownership of land, political control, but above all else, it is that of Islamic fundamentalist terrorism," CAN said. It advised the Federal Government to recognise these facts and tackle them squarely, as any other effort would be a waste.

"A total of 1,400 Christians were murdered by Muslims in Kano within two days while thousands of others were displaced following the looting and destruction of their homes and property. Up-till this moment, nobody has been prosecuted for these killings, which were premeditated. We have every cause to believe that the Governor Ibrahim Shekarau of Kano State had fore knowledge of the planned massacre of Christians in his state and gave his approval. Otherwise, he would not have approved the protest match by the Ulamas in the State. The testimony of the Emir of Kano, Alhaji Ado Bayero on the crisis in Kano proves us right. The deed is done and those terrorists responsible for these killings are walking the street as freemen", CAN further alledged.

CAN also faulted the declaration of state of emergency in Plateau State without extending same to Kano where there was more killing, describing the action as unjust, condemnable and totally unacceptable to them.

"This is a clear case of selective application of justice. The president owes the nation an explanation as to why, Plateau State a predominantly Christian State, was singled out for this kind of treatment. Besides, since Obasanjo came into power, there has been a persistent crisis in many parts of the country especially in states, like Kaduna, Kano (the home of religions fanaticism) and the Niger Delta areas. Inspite of the massive killings in these states and the destruction of lives and property, the government has not taken such hash and bias action against any of them", they said.

But what is the way forward? CAN said there was need to expunge the Sharia clauses from the nation's constitution. "Every person shall be entitled to freedom of thought, conscience and religion, including freedom to change his religion or belief, freedom (either alone or in community with others, and in public or in private) to manifest and propagate his/her religion or belief in worship, teaching, practice and observances", it stated.

"The realization of these provisions of the constitution will continue to remain a mirage as long as what is happening in the so-called Sharia states in Northern Nigeria is allowed to go unchecked. We reiterate our call for the urgent review of the constitution of Nigeria in a manner that will remove all discriminatory clauses in it and ensures security, social justice, and religious freedom for all citizens of this country. This means, there should no longer be room for special provisions for any religion within the constitution. State sponsored Sharia has one main objective: to institutionalise discrimination against non-Muslims. State sponsored Shaira as is being practiced today in Northern Nigeria is a serious threat to our corporate existence as a nation", CAN stressed.

Above all, the Christians leaders also saw the relief attention extended to Bauchi State by the state government, while leaving victims of the Plateau State crisis, mostly Christians to die in pain, agony and anguish.

Thus, as religious, tribal or sectional differences continue to play their roles and planners, initiators and prosecutors of ethno-religious crises go unpunished, it is obvious that such crises will keep re-occurring with all their attendant evil consequences for their victims and society at large. It is therefore time for the Federal Government to maintain neutral position and proffer lasting solutions to the problems.

Indeed, when the Zamfara State government launched the Sharia, the Islamic legal code with other northern states government taken a cue, analysists said the federal government should have taken a decisive step to halt the trend.

However, the claim by the Federal Government that the issue will die a natural death soon assumed different dimension, resulting in crisis, killings, maiming, assults, among others.

For instance, the nurses of the Federal Medical Centre, Azare, Bauchi, who were sacked for non compliance to the Shaira dressing code introduced into the state for over three years are still seeking for justice. Despite crusade by activists, media call for justice for the dismissed nurses, nothing has been done, while the presidency and the Federal Ministry of Health pretend. The nurses hope to get Justice was dashed recently when a High Court trend out their case.

The recently inaugurated committee on internally displaced persons would have an uphill task meeting the demand of these people, orphans, widows, among others. It is therefore time that the Federal Government gave the issue the desired attention.

 
 

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