Roots of Christians, Muslims conflict: A look into Nigeria’s past

Henry Iyorkase, Bureau Chief, North
Central

Roots of religious violence and conflict between Christians and Muslims in Nigeria’s Middle Belt can be traced back to the 1948-1953 period, marked by the Maitatsine uprising.

The tumultuous event began in the town of Tafawa Balewa in present-day Bauchi State, where a confrontation led to the death of Mohammed Marwa, also known as Maitatsine.

Other parts of the country, for instance, Kafanchan in the southern part of Kaduna State. It erupted in the 1980s, and a serious outbreak between Christians and Muslims occurred in Kafanchan in a border area between the two religions. Propagated by extreme leaders, the fight persisted, which led to several losses of lives and properties on both sides.

These violent clashes later spread to other parts of Northern Nigeria, particularly in Kano State, when a religious riot occurred 1991 in October 1991.

Onlookers disclosed that Evangelist Reinhard Bonnke, a German based now late, was expected to hold a Christian Crusade at Sabongari Township Stadium on the eve of the event, which was on Friday Muslims fanatics thronged Galadima Road, sabongari, chanting Ba ze mu ida ba, meaning we can’t allow the Crusade to take place. Observers hinted at the slightest provocation on sighting anyone who wore trousers with a shirt to match on the street, they assumed his a Christian and forcefully lynched you to death. Sources said many people were killed during the massacre survivors were shortly after the episode returned to their state of origin.

Besides religious bigotry resulting in several lives being lost and properties destroyed in the Middle Belt region, it could be recalled that the pogrom subsequently enmeshed which culminated in other vices such as Boko Haram insurgents, terrorists, and what have you in recent times in North Eastern Nigeria, which sprung to no where is an exception

The range of Attacks was devastating as the Attackers were using dangerous weapons for instance Ak 47 rifle while in some cases cutlasses den guns and so forth often at the proximity of their rivals which are even close by Ten kilometres distance In most cases these attackers carrying arms against their host the frequency is spontaneous for example Tiv versus Jukun all of Taraba State are two distinct tribe with record of harmonious coexistence and conflict. They have intermarried with each other from time immemorial, and they have lived together. However, the spate of havoc visited on the other is unimaginable, resulting in bloodshed every year.

The response of security agencies is often negligible, as in most cases, they complained of logistics such as vehicles, fire firepower.

Similar in recent times occurred at Mangu in Plateau State, where about 40 people were killed by suspected Fulani, while the remaining number of insiders recounted are misery.

While Suspected Fulani terrorists reportedly killed inhabitants, no fewer than 50, at Jato Aka, few residents are still there, but a large number of natives deserted for fear of the unknown at the affected Kwande Local Government Council, where 50 casualties were devastating.

In recent times similar incident occurred as suspected Fulani terrorists in their quest to grab the Tiv people of North Central region in Benue State visited genocidal killings in Yelwata at Guma Local Government Council, where no fewer than two hundred people were reportedly killed while others were still at large.

Tor Tiv, the paramount ruler of Tiv Nation, Professor Iorzua Ayatse, in a town hall meeting during President Bola Tinubu’s visit to the state, has declared it is calculated attempt to visit genocide and the people and take over their ancestral lands and displace them.

The Tor-Tiv denounced are not herders and farmers’ clashes as is made to believe, arguing that it is far from these mere speculations.

Findings revealed that many communities have deserted their ancestral homes, and the pastoralists have occupied while a few were left with larger numbers relocated elsewhere, neither in Internally Displaced Persons IDPS across the state.

On vigilante groups namely livestockguards civil protection and security guards hunter Association of Nigeria guard, livestock guards and host others, exception of hunter guards association which is wholly owned by federal government while the remaining is funded by the State government with provisions of logistics such as Innoson hialux vehicles their personnel armed with den guns not too sophisticated towards confronting Fulani terrorists with Ak 47 rifle
Their terms of remuneration, we learnt the security guards were on a stipend as the case may be.
It was discovered that the LGAS Councils, where they are attached, augmented their allowances as deemed fit, depending on individual disposition to their welfare.

In this interview with the former Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, Nuj Benue State Council, Comrade Anza Philips, it is high time communities and even individuals are allowed to carry arms for safe protection.

Because these bandits also carry arms, they know that communities are defenceless and vulnerable and helpless. They attack them at will, the security operatives who are supposed to protect them are often helpless themselves, occasionally their response usually comes late after attackers might have been done wrecking havoc on innocent souls.

I am optimistic that if these are taken, it would forestall the recurrence of these constant bandit attacks resulting in bloodshed, letting.

In his view, a second republic Senator and Elderstateman Suemo Chia stated that religious conflict in the North Central region, by extension, Northern began from time immemorial and concerted efforts were recorded to discourage bloodshed; it succeeded in reducing the chaos and anarchy on the part of the government. But the situation persists at a minimal level observing often resulting in revolt on the premise of religion.

The Elderstateman was reminded of religious conflict between Muslims and Christians in 1953, saying his memory is failing him in recent times, further expressing optimism that it will happen.

The Senator who represented Benue North East Senatorial District between 1979- 1983 during the leadership of President Aliyu Shagari pointed out that during our time, there was dignity to Labour, unlike the present dispensation where the system is polluted with corruption and nepotism appeared to be a hallmark in Nigeria.

“Calling on political leaders to address the injustice visited on South Eastern Nigeria by depriving the region of presidency after years, while other geopolitical zones benefited from their slot, insisting that the sharing must be extended to the Ndigb to balance equitable distribution of power to their zone..

The disbanded National Party of Nigeria (NPN) chieftain restated that the attitudinal change has informed his decision to quit partisan politics because of maladministration, where they carry out wrong policies and actions with impunity.