Two Churches, Three Houses Burnt, Four Persons Killed In A Violence That Broke Out At Pandogari Town Niger State

At least four persons were killed and several others were injured in violence that broke out at Pandogari town in Rafi Local Government Area of Niger State last week. The crisis followed a violent reaction to an alleged blasphemous statement about the person of Prophet Muhammad allegedly posted by a young man on social media. Two churches, three houses and many shops were reportedly burnt while others were looted.

Niger State Police Public Relation Officer, ASP Bala ElKana, said one Mr. Methodus Emmanuel Chimaije, a 24-year old trader based in Pandogari was attacked and killed by a mob on allegation of posting the alleged blasphemous statement. The mob was said to have traced the trader to his residence in Pandogari and beat him to death. According to ASP Bala, four persons including a personnel of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps (NSCDC) and a woman lost their lives in the fracas. The woman was reportedly hit by a stray bullet.

A dusk to dawn curfew was consequently imposed on Pandogari town. ASP Bala said the police intervened and restored law and order in the community. He said 32 suspects were arrested in connection with the violence. Assistant Director of Army Public Relations Major N. C. Agwu said military authorities imposed the curfew when the rioters embarked on looting of shops and also blocked the Kaduna-Lagos highway, a major route that connects the northern and southern parts of the country. Governor of Niger State Alhaji Abubakar Sani Bello later said an investigative panel had been instituted by the state government to investigate the crisis. He said those found culpable of breaching public peace will be severely dealt with according to provisions of the law.

Barely two days after the Pandogari incident, another carnage took place in Kano. A mob comprising of youths attacked and killed a female trader over allegations that she blasphemed Prophet Muhammad during an argument at Wambai market, Kano. The victim, said to be of Igbo origin, sells plastics at the marketplace and was in company of her husband when she was murdered. Public Relations Officer of Kano Command DSP Musa Magaji confirmed the incident. He said the timely intervention of the police saved the woman’s husband who was whisked away from the scene.

The Pandogari and Kano crises are examples of how some Nigerians take the law into their hands. The practice where a mob beats, tortures or lynches a person suspected to have erred or committed an offence (civil or criminal) is unlawful, regrettable and totally condemnable. No allegation brought against an individual, no matter its gravity, justifies any form of attack, verbal or physical, against the accused person. Instead, an accused person remains innocent until proven otherwise.

The rightful course of action expected of the general public when a person is suspected to have erred either against the law or the sensibilities of other Nigerians (as in the case of blasphemy) is to report the matter to security agencies who have the statutory responsibility of investigating and prosecuting the suspect. Relevant government agencies especially the National Orientation Agency (NOA) should embark on enlightenment campaigns to educate Nigerians on their civic responsibilities in circumstances of hot arguments, quarrels or fights by reporting the affronting or provocative party to security agents. This enlightenment could be achieved through posters on outdoor billboards and jingles on radio and television. 

Religious leaders, more than NOA, have a duty to call upon their followers to exercise restraint when reacting to alleged provocations particularly if they border on religious or ethnic divides. We call for full investigation into the two unfortunate incidents that took place in Pandogari and Kano. We congratulate the police for speedily arresting suspects behind the grisly murders. Anyone who is found guilty of the murder should face the full wrath of the law in order to deter other misguided youths from attempting similar things in the future.

Source: Daily Trust

Get Widget