Nigerian Muslims slaughter each other because of charming

[Ulli]

Quranimals like we know them

Published 12/30/2009 4:33:00 AM

...Crisis caused by sect leader’s illness – Bauchi CP
Agency Reporter


It has been discovered that an undiagnosed strange illness of the late leader of the Kala-kato Islamic religious sect, Malam Badamasi was the cause of the crisis that engulfed Zango area of Bauchi metropolis claiming 38 lives last Monday.

This was made public by the Bauchi State Police Commissioner, Atiku Yusuf Kafur while briefing news men on the crisis in his office late Monday evening, saying that it was in the cause of looking for a solution to the ailment that the late Militant leader made enmity with some of his followers who were said to be plotting to kill him and take over the affair of the sect by one of his ardent followers.

While giving a background to the genesis of the riot, the Bauchi CP said that “it all began when the DPO of Dutsen-Tanshi Police Station got a report that the leader of the sect, one Mallam Badamasi preached a message that was considered heretic by his neighbours and were not at ease about it considering that it can lead to crisis.

Yusuf Kafur added that from the report reaching him, it was later discovered that Badamasi who is an indigene of Alkaleri LGA in Bauchi State preached out of frustration due to a strange illness he was suffering from and could not get immediate cure for.

He said, “He (Badamasi) was advised to consult the wife of one of his followers to get a cure for his illness which he did and the woman told him that his affliction was caused by some of his followers who plot to kill him and so for him to get cured he must get rid of them”.

According to him, the discovery brought a division in the sect while some left, others stayed with the sect leader adding that the inciting message Badamasi preached that fateful day was an attack on his enemies which led some of the residents to report the sect leader to men of the Operation Flush, a military outfit which drafted six soldiers to the scene and tried to stop the preaching, Kafur added.

Unfortunately, according to the Police boss, the rampaging militants killed one soldier on the spot and took his ak47 rifle loaded with ammunition after which the group then retreated and started fighting each other a development which later extended to other members of the society.

“The DPO reported to me and we drafted Policemen to the area while the Brigade Commander sent his men for reinforcement pointing out however that the Police retrained themselves from using maximum force in order to minimise casualties saying, “as my men advanced, we used canisters aimed at minimizing causalities ad the militants soon came out of hiding while some were arrested.”

The Police Boss said on entering their enclave, his men discovered dead bodies which was a result of the in-fighting among the sect members with several limps of people severed assuring that the Command is on top of the situation while security measures have been intensified to ensure that the crisis did not escalate to the other areas of the state.

The State Police Command then confirmed that 35 members of the Islamic religious sect including their leader, Mallam Badamasi have been killed in the shoot-out with security operatives while two residents of the area also lost their lives as well as one security personnel bringing the toll of deaths to 38.

Atiku Yusuf Kafur also said that 20 suspects made up of nine adults and eleven minors have been arrested in connection with the incidence just as eighteen injured persons are currently receiving treatment at the Specialist Hospital, Bauchi adding that 16 persons were rescued from the rampaging Islamic militants.

Meanwhile, the State Government has described as the crisis as very unfortunate coming at this period when people were in a joyous mood of the end of the yea activities saying that the problem was a result of misunderstanding among a group of religious group which was hijacked by miscreants for cause confusion.

In a statement signed by the Secretary to the State Government, Ibrahim Ahmed Dandija and made available to news men, the government reassured the people of its commitment to the provision of adequate security for lives and properties of all the residents of the state calling on them to go about their normal duties without any fear declaring that no curfew will be imposed on the town as security operatives are battle ready to deal with any situation.

Source: http://www.punchng.com/Articl.aspx?theartic=Art20091230435912