Yusha'u a Ibahim
20 June 2009
Dutse — Youths yesterday went on rampage in Sara town of Gwaram Local Government Area of Jigawa State, burning a police outpost and injuring about 12 persons over an alleged blasphemous statement against the holy Prophet of Islam, Muhammad (SAW) made by a non-Muslim resident of the town.
The crisis which began at about 10:30am, Daily Trust observed, also led to the burning of two vehicles including a mass transit bus belonging to the local government area.
When Daily Trust visited the town, business activities were paralysed, as shops were locked while business joints were deserted. Our Correspondent also observed that followers of other religions were fleeing the town in fear of attack by the angry youths.
Heavily armed mobile policemen were deployed to the town and stationed at strategic places. A stop and search check point was also mounted at the main entrance of the town.
Daily Trust further learnt that while some of the non-Muslim residents were running away from the town, others were camped at a house provided by the local authorities. It was also gathered that the local government is providing adequate security and food for them.
A witness, Malam Abdullahi told Daily Trust that trouble began when hundreds of aggrieved youths mobilised themselves and went to the police outpost and demanded for a Christian who was alleged to have made a blasphemous statement against the Holy prophet Muhammad (SAW). Abdullahi explained , "We just woke up in the early morning and found some strange pamphlets containing blasphemous inscriptions pasted on our walls. The development provoked the entire Muslims of the town. While some Muslims were discussing about the issue, a non-Muslim residing in the town was said to have made similar statement".
He pointed out that it was the quick intervention of the police that saved the man from being lynched, adding; "Shortly after he was rescued by the police, some Muslims youths mobilised themselves and went to the police outpost demanding for the man, but when the police refused to present the man to the rioters, the aggrieved youths went violent and set fire on the outposts and a mass transit bus".
Speaking to Daily Trust, chairman of Gwaram local government, Alhaji Bala Sule Kila confirmed the incident and said the local council on its part had summoned an emergency meeting of all security agencies. Alhaji Bala Kila further confirmed the destruction of the outpost and two vehicles belonging to the local government authority, saying; "The situation has been put under control. Law and order has been restored". When contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Abdul Jinjiri told Daily Trust that he could not comment on the issue as the Police Commissioner had ordered that newsmen should suspend publications on the story until they heard from him.
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How can Nigerian Muslims ever stop being violent when no one ever prosecutes them for their acts of terrorism? After all, the wicked, corrupt, incompetent, Jihadist oligarchs want the world to believe that Nigeria is a Muslim country.
Will Muslims ever stop being violent?