(Any man’s death diminishes me, because I am involved in mankind)
- John Donne 17th century English poet

As I am writing, there are reports of the all too familiar reports of religious violence in Jigawa state, with the usual attendant loss of lives and destruction of property. A society is judged by the premium it places on human life, and the security of property. The clearest distinction between man and beast is the ability to apply a system of law and order.

We cease to be human, when we deny others the inalienable right to life by hacking them to death at the flimsiest of excuses. Life is sacred and sacrosanct. We cannot give it, so we shouldn’t take it. Look at your calendar; this is 2006, not 1806.

The myth of “one Nigeria ” continues to amaze me, more so when the North who claims to have fought to keep Nigeria one, remains the most intolerant of other Nigerians, and constitute the greatest threat and challenge to Nigerian unity. 7 years of President Olusegun Obasanjo’s regime has recorded the highest number of ethno-religious conflicts in post-war Nigeria , instigated by the North for political reasons. Beginning in 2000 with the sharia riots, 2001 Jos riots, 2002 miss world riots, 2006 Denmark cartoon riots, and the ongoing riots in Jigawa state.

The excesses of the North concern every Nigerian, and should be declared a national emergency. Some have made the mistake of wrongly assuming that only the Igbo are targeted in the North during such sectarian violence. There can be nothing farther from the truth. While it is true that the Igbo being more migratory and more visible by virtue of hawking their wares in public arenas sometimes bear a greater brunt of such attacks, there is abundant evidence that the generality of Nigerian Christians, including Northern Christians and even Yoruba Muslims are usually also victims. There is no doubt, that even if all Igbo pulled out from the North, religious violence will continue to be a feature of life in Northern Nigeria .

The 1992 Zango kataf riots for example, was principally between Northern Muslims and Christians. In the same vein, the 2001 Jos riots that led to the imposition of a state of emergency in Plateau state was also principally between Northern Christians and Muslims.Fr Micheal Gajere a Catholic father in Maiduguri and the most prominent person killed during the February Denmark cartoon riots was a Christian from Adamawa state. The Sharia and Miss world riots targeted a cross section of Nigerian Christians and some Southern Muslims prompting the Southern governor’s forum at that time to insist that Southern graduates, for security reasons, should no longer serve their youth service in the North.

Pundits have continued to wonder, why the constantly reoccurring religious Violence in the North, have continued unabated. There are indeed indications and security reports that top members of the Northern elite are behind the riots. I have taken out time to do some research on other societies with large Muslim and Christians communities. My findings support the convictions of those who firmly believe the Northern establishment sponsors the sectarian riots.

Lebanon is a nation in the heart of the Middle East with a 40% Christian population, and 60% Muslim population, yet there are no reports of Muslims attacking Christians, even at the height of the controversial Denmark cartoons. Turkey and other Middle East nations have sizable Christian populations but there is rarely any news of attacks targeting their respective Christian populations. Indeed when the Miss world events sparked off riots in Nigeria , it was ironically moved to Muslim Turkey where it was concluded without incident.

Closer home, there are nations like Cameroun , very similar to Nigeria who have a significant Muslim Hausa-Fulani population, yet there are never reports of Muslims attacking Christians. Overall of all the nations that harbour significant Muslim and Christian communities, except in nations where there is war, Nigeria exceptionally and shamefully records the highest level of religious violence worldwide. The high incidence of riots in Northern Nigeria , as against other equally multi-religious nations is no accident. It presents glaring evidence of a deliberate and well planned structure of violence, nurtured by the Northern establishment, and encouraged by the long years of unpunished bloodletting.

Little wonder neither the Arewa consultative forum, the Caliphate, nor any top Northern official has ever in the strongest terms condemned the undeniably very grave riots, nor sponsored any initiatives to put an end to it. The consequence is that, the average Northern Muslim, has come to believe, it is their God given right to kill Christians at will. (Born to kill mentality?)

The Nigerian federal constitution is the fakest document ever to be produced. While it espouses lofty principles on the right to life and property, in practice it fails woefully to live up to those challenges. For the concept of “one Nigeria ” to make any sense, no Nigerian should be made to feel unsafe anywhere, due to religion, tongue or tribe. The continuing failure of security agencies to secure life and property is a failure of government. When governments fail to live up to its responsibility in matters like this, the people are provoked to take laws into their hands. The following measures should be undertaken forthwith to put an end to such heinous killings.

(1) Zero tolerance should be declared for ethnic and religious offences.

(2)A consultative council of religious leaders, comprising Muslim and Christian leaders should be created. Council should meet regularly to dialogue exhaustively on how to find lasting solutions to religious violence.

(3) Immediate Setting up of an “Ethnic and religious offences panel or commission”. Religious riots remain one of the greatest threats to Nigerian unity, therefore this special commission should be given special and wide ranging constitutional powers to investigate and prosecute all those behind religious and ethnic riots in Nigeria , no matter how highly placed.

(4) SSS, Police, and proposed ethnic and religious offences commission officials should infiltrate mosques and churches to gather evidence against religious leaders instigating sectarian violence.

(5) Security agencies should be given more mobilization funds, to enable them work more effectively in intelligence gathering, and pre-emption of religious riots.

(6) The Ethnic and religious offences commission should function with the same urgency and importance as the EFCC. Keeping in mind that just like corruption, religious and ethnic violence constitute another major impediment to national development, unity and cohesion.

Conclusions:

The whole talk about “one Nigeria” or the so called “Nigerian project” will remain a fleeting illusion, until the shameful and scandalous spectre of unending circles of religious violence are firmly dealt with once and for all. The North has an important lesson to learn from the bastion of religious tolerance in Western Nigeria , where Muslims and Christians have lived together peacefully for generations. As I said earlier, look at your calendar, this is 2006, yes 2006, and not 1806!

Comrade Lawrence Chinedu Nwobu
Email:lawrencenwobu@hotmail.com

Robot  Villager

# 1 ...Read the full article. Posted by Robot| 24.09.2006 09:35

Obi  Villager

# 2 This is one of the essence of the NVS, to proffer solutions. Unlike some hypocrites, whose stock-in-trade is to write long silly logics, searching for faults in the complaints of the wounded minds, the all-time victims and the offended. To them I say: A very fo-oli-sh way of working to be a nationalist. Thanks Lawrence. Posted by Obi| 24.09.2006 11:36

No Smoking  Villager

# 3 The continuing failure of security agencies to secure life and property is a failure of government. When governments fail to live up to its responsibility in matters like this, the people are provoked to take laws into their hands. A concise and neat summary of those unfortunate events that bring shame on the nation and untold suffering and loss to the victims and their families. Obasanjo should have allowed these issues to be ironed out at that national confab he set up. The people of Nigeria need to determine how they should be governed, and whether it would/should be acceptable for the citizens to move freely in the country for trade, employment and education. The imposition of the Sharia rule by some northern states and the regular occurrences of religious killings are pointers to the contrary. The issues need to be identified, so that those states that are intolerant of the presence of other Nigerians should have their borders closed to contain themselves alone. Posted by No Smoking| 24.09.2006 13:00

Nkire  Villager

# 4 Nwobu, Nwoke: As always, your ideas are illuminating. However, it won't work in Nigeria, the environment is not designed for such flowery and sane strategies. Why, well, radical Islamic fundamentalists (RIFs) have been committing acts of jihadist criminality in Nigeria for almost half a century without facing the bar of justice or any effective retribution. This lack of justice is by operation of government inaction that is well orchestrated and is not about to change. No amount of bullet points will stem the tide of RIF action under the present structure of corporate Nigeria and its law enforcement and administration. The only action that remains viable is effective retribution, extra-judicially. In the recent past the limited action in this regard was visited on Northerners outside of the North, eg the Onitsha incidents, etc. In my judgment, those were very unfortunate. Any Northerner who crosses the Niger and decides to make his home and living in the East should be offered every possible protection, for majority of the North is insular and does not believe in one Nigeria in the same way Easterners do. Effective retribution for RIF action should occur in the North, the scene and place of RIF criminality. Christians in the North should draw a code of conduct as follows: Every Christian living in the North must train and be conversant with the use of fire arms and other incendiary devices for self protection and to attack and thwart RIF eruptions, which are as real and likely to occur as death itself. One murder committed by RIF action should result in ten fold retaliation of RIF members and their equally culpapble silent brethren One burnt down Church by RIF should result in ten fold retaliation in Mosques, starting with the biggest and most significant ones Christians who are not likely to participate in the above for whatever reason should relocate to areas below the Niger or west of the Niger for their protection. I realize the above prescription is harsh, however, no other actionable alternative have been advocated that I know about. Using flowery language in describing actions necessary to stop RIF actions are unfortunate, as such illustrates a misunderstanding of RIF philosophy. RIFs want to kill and don't care if they get killed in the process becuase their innumerable virgins are waiting for them in paradise. Only if you are willing to commit suicide should you play legalese with RIFs. Posted by Nkire| 24.09.2006 17:35

Oghre  Villager

# 5 Retribution alone is not enough to stop these animals; they need to be isolated from civilised society. I don’t see why a good southern government will not decide that any northern state that declares a separate constitution in a secular environment should automatically lose its membership of the nation, since that state is not constitutionally part of Nigeria anymore. What can these jihadists do now anyway? After all they don’t really have control of the military like they used to back in the day. Dexterity now means many of them cannot aspire to become decent troop commanders or service chiefs anymore. We had opportunities under that typical “fear of mallams” Yoruba man, OBJ, but he did not act on them as usual. We need a permanent solution other than retribution I’m afraid. Posted by Oghre| 25.09.2006 05:44

onwuchekwa  Villager

# 6 Religious violence is a vicious scar on the concept of unity and nationhood in our country Nigeria. There is no doubt that the flimsily provoked violence has become a tool of various political and/or religious leaders in the muslim north, wielded to garner power and influence or to settle scores. Mr. Nwobu has very aptly pointed out with the examples of Turkey & Lebanon, that the issue lies not with Islam itself, but with the Nigerian northern political & religious elite and, undoubtedly, with the Nigerian government. The government has consistently failed to treat such crises with the importance they deserve. Such inhuman slaughter of Nigerian citizens would be enough to provoke a war had it been carried out by non-Nigerians. The government certainly has to be much more robust and determined in responding to religious riots in a fashion that would deter similar behaviour in the future - no matter the short term political cost. It is the absence of tangible and painful CONSEQUENCES on promoters/participants of such riots that have lead to their continual resurgence in our national history. Strong and inevitable governmental security action to prevent or punish riots will stem the tide of RIFs. I very strongly disagree with Nkire's suggestion: That, in my opinion is a recipe for disaster. In an African cultural context, such an action by people ethnically considered to be 'visitors' or 'foreigners' can only provoke savage retaliation. It doesn't matter if this is action agains RIFs, OPC activists, MASSOB....foreigners cannot visit wholesale wanton destruction on any section of their 'host community' without anticipating/experiencing bloody reprisals by the whole host community - including those who would not normally be considered RIFs. The peculiar Nigerian cocktail of ethnic and religious misunderstanding only acts as a catlyst to such a spiral of violence. There is certainly a need for pressure to be put on the muslim leadership in the north at national and local levels to work together with their christian counterparts to publicly & jointly disclaim such riots when they do occur or are gearing up to occur. Joint proclamations will help foster an image and culture of co-operation and religious tolerance in the north. Use of arms for self-defence in the particular circumstances of the north would not be unjustified, neither would the formation of protective neighbourhood vigilantes during the period of riots; but to turn from defender to aggressor can only have tragic results. Posted by onwuchekwa| 25.09.2006 09:02

JUT

# 7 Unrests: FG refurbishes 100 armoured carriers * Police deploy 2,000 in Abuja to stop fundamentalists By Emma Amaize, Kingsley Omonobi & Simon Ebegbulem Monday, September 25, 2006 ABUJA— THE Federal Government is currently refurbishing 100 Armoured Personnel Carriers (APCs) for the police to enable them quell civil unrests more swiftly, Police Affairs Minister, Alaowei Broderick Bozimo, announced weekend. advertisement He spoke as the police authorities deployed about 2,000 of their personnel in Abuja, weekend, to forestall possible influx of religious fundamentalists from some northern states to cause mayhem in the Federal Capital Territory. Alaowei Bozimo told newsmen in an interview at his Effurun residence in Delta State that more APCs would be provided for the police but government decided to refurbish the100 in question which originally belonged to the Army. This is to maximize cost since the value of a single armoured carrier in the market is at least $600,000. The minister said the Association of Bankers under the leadership of the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Professor Charles Soludo and state governors were also providing assistance to the Police in acquiring more APCs. He said: “That is the overall objective of the reform programme by President Olusegun Obasanjo for the Nigeria Police. The president wants an efficient Police Force where the men have the equipment to perform their duties.” Alaowei Bozimo said the police were not at war with anybody or group and so, the APCs were not being refurbished to fight anybody but for the general security of the country. “I want to say that it is not for the 2007 elections as some of you are already asking me. We are not anticipating that there will be violence in the 2007 elections. So, do not ask me if it is for the 2007 elections. We expect that the elections will be free and fair. What we are doing is for the general preparedness of the police to protect life and property, maintain law and order and all that. “You see, the police ought to be combat-ready and they should have the facility to do that. That is the kind of thing that President Obasanjo wants to see in the country— that all the security agencies would handle their responsibilities with up-to-date facilities. I know the next thing you want to know is if it is to help the police to tackle the Niger Delta crisis. I have told you that it is for the general security of the country,” he said. The police during the Second Republic purchased some APCs but were handed over to the army after the military struck on December 31, 1983. Police deploy 2000 personnel The Police in Abuja, weekend, deployed about 2,000 of their personnel in different parts of the Federal Capital Territory as a measure to checkmate the influx of religious fundamentalists from some Northern states. Consequently, a “show of force” involving about 15 Police Pick-Up Special and Rapid Response Squad vehicles filled with Mobile Policemen and led by the FCT Commissioner of Police, Mr. Lawrence Alobi and his Deputy, DCP Simeon Midenda moved round the territory yesterday. The decision to deploy the policemen to such border towns like Zuba, Nyanya and Abiaji/Gwagwalada followed information that some fundamentalists were bent on moving to the seat of power to create crises and fear. Contacted on the issue, Mr. Alobi confirmed that indeed his command took the measures fearing there might be a fallout from recent crisis in Dutse, Jigawa State, noting that the federal capital was not a place for the spills over of the crisis. He said: “I am using this opportunity to call on residents of Abuja and well-meaning Nigerians to please call any of our hotlines to give us information on such plan or they are approached with money to cause crisis here. I am also guaranteeing Abuja citizens that the Police would be on top of the situation of any such crisis threatening. Such persons or group would be given a crushing blow,” he said. http://odili.net/news/source/2006/sep/25/300.html Posted by JUT| 25.09.2006 09:35

Nkire  Villager

# 8 Mazi Oghre & Onwuchekwa: You’ve written well and you two are fine gentlemen. My problem with the thesis of your write-ups is that it failed to consider the frequency and longevity of RIF actions in Nigeria and the inability or designed inaction of variety of Nigerian governments (military, democratic, etc.) to deal with the problem. Some of the fine ideas espoused by two of you, including those by Mazi Nwobu will not work in the Nigerian structure of law enforcement and judicial administration - too contorted, with designed to fail structures. Remember now that these crimes have gone on for over half a century. Can you name any one judicial action that resulted in the prosecution of RIF actions and the actors and the payment of recoveries to the victims, for over half a century! Look, just like ordinary Nigerians are engaging the services of private security outfits, communities are providing security for themselves in the form of Night Watch (Nche), Christians in the North must develop survival and counter-attack strategies to deal with RIFs. Relying on government law enforcement, which has not produced any prosecution in over 50 years is a big expensive joke, expensive in that it will result in loss of innocent life without justice or retribution. Sorry guys, your ideas have been tried with fatal and disastrous consequences. Posted by Nkire| 25.09.2006 10:38

Auspicious  Villager

# 9 Very worthy points from Mr. Nwobu. A mixed feeling of heartbreak and fury engulfs one when one reads or hears news of senseless killings for the very flimsiest of reasons in the Nothern part of the country. As Nwobu pointed out, the killings are not neccessarily targeted at the Igbos alone but at the Christian and Southern minorities in general, with the Igbo standing out as a result of their way of life. *The "Docokwys" out there should please note: "way of life" refers to Mr. Nwobu's "..Igbo being more migratory and more visible by virtue of hawking their wares in public arenas..".* I am for Mr. Nwobu's ideas in dealing with the dangers of ethnic and religious intolerance in Nigeria. If corruption has been considered a threat to the development and security of the nation - enough to warrant the setting up of the Nuhu Ribadu-led EFCC, religious and ethnic strife, which in my humble opinion, poses twice the security threat that corruption does, deserves every thing Lawrence Nwobu suggested and more. Still, it behoves us pained victims (in general) of these re-occuring acts of violence by a few ignorant, uneducated and manipulated street urchins, to keep our guard (mentally) and not allow the bestiality of the aforementioned group of misled people to make animals of us too. I refer to those who make unwholesome and very wicked generalizations about whole ethnicities where those few blood-letters come from. Let them - those who in the name of hurt and pain hurl invectives at whole ethnicities and peoples - learn from Mr. Nwobu's example. A Yoruba adage goes "Ti a ba n sokun, a maa riran"; meaning "even as we are in pain/anguish/tears, we must still see/reason" We must not be blinded by our tears/pain/rage. It is a fact that there exists many nothern moslems out there who strongly oppose those killing and maiming in the name of a religion that many claim is a religion of peace. But then again, some of Nwobu's words stand out from his piece as proof that some powers-that-be in the North condone this inhuman acts. Said he: "Little wonder neither the Arewa consultative forum, the Caliphate, nor any top Northern official has ever in the strongest terms condemned the undeniably very grave riots, nor sponsored any initiatives to put an end to it". I will have to agree with the above statements in quotes from Nwobu. It is true that we are yet to see the influential and powerful personalities and institutions ROUNDLY and STRONGLY condemn these acts..or go a step further by extending help to the victimized and displaced minorities/victims of these occassional acts of mass murders. We need to see stronger statements than the Sultan's statement released last week in response to the latest pogrom that occured in Jigawa. Perhaps it is time we held these leaders in the North accountable for their position as "leaders". Leaders cannot just be leaders by name; leaders must through strong examples and courage show integrity and honor at all times. If they won't stand up to their name, we must make them stand up to it. In the same breadthe, we must also ROUND and STRONGLY condemn those amongst 'us' victims in the South, who make foolish and irresponsible remarks that do nothing but inflame an already inflammable situation and alienate the few friends we may have amongst the Northerners. Words too can sometimes be like Daggers and Swords. If they weren't, they wouldn't inspire great revolutions that bring whole tyranies crashing. Auspicious. Posted by Auspicious| 25.09.2006 12:01

Obi  Villager

# 10 AUSPY "Perhaps it is time we held these leaders in the North accountable for their position as "leaders". Leaders cannot just be leaders by name; leaders must through strong examples and courage show integrity and honor at all times. If they won't stand up to their name, we must make them stand up to it." Very strong words from my brother! "Foolish and irresponsible remarks that do nothing but inflame an already inflammable situation" Simply put, the root causes is the inability of Northern leaders to show leadership in all the carnage so far--silent conspiracy if you will. But again, do one blame the aggrieved, frustrated, endangered and vulnerable group(s) for their remarks or the leadership that has constantly failed to protect the citizens lives and properties, and give them HOPE of a peaceful tomorrow? Of course, I do agree that "Words too can sometimes be like Daggers and Swords". I strongly urge those "Northern Muslims out there who strongly oppose those killing and maiming in the name of a religion", to ONCE show their opposition, by organizing protest marches in solidarity with their fellow Christian citizens from the South, particularly the Igbo. Such will go a long way to reassure fellow citizens and international sceptics that these evil and inhuman acts were/are the handiwork of just a few fanatics, that Nigerian Muslims are moderates. Are we not citizens of the same nation? Posted by Obi| 25.09.2006 16:12