The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has condemned ethnic killings and called on law enforcement agents to fish out those responsible for the killing and arson at Shasha, Ibadan, Oyo State. Director, MURIC, Ishaq Akintola, called on the Oyo State Government to investigate the immediate and remote causes of the crisis.
Akintola said: “We of MURIC strongly denounce the ethnic killings which occurred at Shasha, Ibadan, on Friday and Saturday February 12-13, 2021. That ugly and unfortunate incident is a manifestation of barbarism in its highest form. We reiterate our condemnation of all killings and violence in all ramifications, whether perpetrated by criminal herdsmen, by tribal jingoists against Nigerians of other tribes or by citizens exercising jungle justice.
“Nigerians should learn to coexist peacefully. This country belongs to us all and we have no other place we can call our own. We should therefore be prepared to tolerate and to forgive one another. In addition, we should always remember that others are playing host to our kith and kin just as we are hosts and landlords to others. Southerners live in the North in their thousands, just as thousands of Northerners live in the South.
“We should all control our emotions in times of anger because the actions of Southerners in the South may be used to judge Southerners in the North and vice versa. We are all stakeholders in the Nigerian project and ambassadors of our tribes and clans.”
MURIC appeals to Nigerians to eschew bitterness and vengeance, saying, “There are certain measures which the President Muhammadu Buhari administration must take in order to douse tension and calm nerves throughout the country.
One, farmers whose crops were destroyed by cows must be compensated. Two, herders with genuine evidence of loss of cattle due to attacks or rustling also deserve to be pacified. Three, the Federal Government should arrange a bailout fund for cow owners to enable them purchase land for use as ranches. Four, government must also ban open grazing. Five, the Nigerian police must officially proscribe the possession of arms like AK 47 by herders.
“Above all, we charge the National Assembly (NASS) to revisit the hate speech bill. It is our considered opinion that hate speech was remotely responsible for the Shasha imbroglio and the earlier we put a halt to it via legislation the better. NASS should ignore all attempts to blackmail it to submission.”