The Christian Association of Nigeria, Kaduna State Chapter, has accused Governor Nasir el-Rufai of deliberately attempting to stir violence in the state with his claim that gunmen killed 66 Fulani people in Kajuru local government.
In a Saturday statement, the CAN Chairman in the state, Rev. Joseph Hayab, alleged that el-Rufai gave out false information about the attacks that led to the killings in order to hoodwink Nigerians and the international community.
The CAN Chairman said that el-Rufai’s statement constituted hate speech.
He said, “The press statement by the spokesman for Kaduna State Governor, Mr Samuel Aruwan, suggests that “the killings in Kajuru Local Government were carried out yesterday ( Friday ) 15 / 2 / 2019. This is false in its entirety.
“We are aware that the incident happened in the late hours of Sunday 10 February to February 12 , 2019, at about 1 am at Gindin Gada in the Maro Ward of Kajuru Local Government , Kaduna State where unidentified hoodlums went into the village and killed about 11 people in their sleep.
“The incident led to reprisals. Two of the suspects were said to have been apprehended and handed over to the Divisional Police Officer in the area. It was in the afternoon of the said date of the attack ( as contained in the press statement ) that the District Head of Kufana , Mr Titus Dauda, and four of his local chiefs were released after their invitation by the Department of State Services .
“We see this as an illogical intentional , premeditated attempt at stirring violence in the state for whatever expected gains . The incidence of raising false alarm by the Kaduna State Government should make Nigerians realise that some of our leaders are also guilty of hate speech and that makes them major actors in the game that has denied us peace and has claimed the lives of our love ones.’’
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