The KOWA party has condemned in “strong terms” the recent religious killings over alleged blasphemy in Zamfara State. The opposition party also condoled with the families of the victims of the latest outbreak of religious violence in the country.
The statement, made available to the press on Wednesday, August 24, 2016 said that the Muslim mob that perpetrated the murder of 8 people were hoodlums hiding under the “auspices of religion”.
“Our condolences are with the people of Zamfara State and the families and loved ones of those who have been killed unjustly in the recent killings by some hoodlums who are hiding under the auspices of religion,” the statement said.
“We condemn in the strongest terms the recent killings of innocent Nigerians by religious bigots who have taken to barbarism to break the law and deny their fellow denizens in Zamfara state the fundamental right to life.
“We state here categorically that the right to life, which is as entrenched in Chapter 4 Section 33 of our constitution under the fundamental rights of citizens, of those who were killed in the act has been denied.
“Such acts are not and should not be condoled by any persons or group of persons under any umbrella whatsoever in our society.
“Acts like these are condemnable and should be taken seriously by our law enforcement agencies to ensure that the culprits are all brought to justice and made to suffer for their crimes.
“It is high time for a clear message to be sent by the law enforcement agencies that these criminal acts will be severely punished and that culprits will be brought to justice and this clear message must as a matter of urgency be words backed with ACTION.
“Just recently, the killings in Kano and Abuja of innocent Nigerians have not been meted with the justice that those individuals and their families deserve.
“Previous cases of these kind of barbaric acts have been treated without urgency thereby prolonging the justice needed to communicate to intending criminals that such acts will be handled seriously.
“The National Orientation Agency also needs to as a matter of urgency begin a program that is focused on religious intolerance and the laws of the land on those who think it necessary to deliver judgements on acts of blasphemy.
“We cannot continue to live like barbarians and keep losing the lives and properties of innocent citizens in acts like this. Acts like this should NOT be tolerated and as much as we will not wish this act that has now turned into a recurrent act away, We need to back words with ACTION.
“May God in his infinite mercies console those that have been bereaved and have lost properties and May God Bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”
