The Hausa-Fulani and Muslim community of Southern Kaduna have demanded for their own chiefdoms over the increasing unrest in the area.
They also debunk the alleged genocide against the Christian natives of Southern Kaduna, as well as the claim that, Hausa-Fulani Muslims are minority and settlers in the area.
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Addressing a press conference in Kaduna in response to the recent killings in Southern Kaduna and the reactions it has generated across the country, they said facts have been distorted for too long against them, claiming that, ‘Christian militia’ of Southern Kaduna have grand plan to eliminate Muslims from the area.
The Hausa-Fulani community is under the aegis of Coalition of United Muslim Group, Kaduna State, Muslim Youth Foundation of Southern Kaduna, Nasihatu Ahlizzaman Southern Kaduna Muslim Forum and Zumunta Youth Development, Kasuwan Magani
They said the Muslims constitute 40% of the population, while the Hausa-Fulani are the majority of the about 30 tribes that make up Southern Kaduna.
The Hausa-Fulani/Muslim community leader, Kabir Kasim Kafanchan also claimed that, the Hausa Fulani are the original owners of the area called Southern Kaduna, saying that, major Christian tribes laying claims to Southern Kaduna originally migrated from other northern states like Kano, Bauchi and Taraba.
Imam Kafanchan however asked the Kaduna State House of Assembly to enact a law stopping the Hausa-Fulani from being referred to as settlers in Southern Kaduna and called on the state government to create chiefdoms for them in places like Kasuwan Magani, Kachia and Zango Urban, which he said were founded by the Hausa-Fulani.
According to the community, “The area has about 30 ethnic groups in the eight LGAs that make us Southern Kaduna, among which include: Hausa-Fulani, Jaba (Ham), Atyap (Kataf), Kadara (Adara), Baju (Kaje) in addition to Nigerians from other part of the Country. The Muslims constitute about 40% while the Christians have 60% of the population.
“Most of the major towns in Southern Kaduna were founded by Hausa Fulani, dor example, Zango, Kachia, Unguwan Rimi, Zankuwa, Kagarko, Jere and Jama’a (Kafanchan). Hausa Fulani are the largest single tribe in Southern Kaduna. In spite of this, they are always targets or victims of circumstances.
“The Muslims are always referred to as settlers, while it is historically on record that Southern Kaduna was founded by Fulani tribe called Kachechere. It is important to note that by immigration the tribes in Southern Kaduna migrated from other part of the Country. Some came in the morning, some in the afternoon and others in the evening.
“For instance, the Bajju or Kaje migrated from Bauchi, Atyap (Kataf) migrated from Kargi – the East part of Zaria; Kaninkon and Kagoma from Taraba; Jaba and Koro from Kano etc. It is also on record that, the ancient town of Kauru and Kajuru were as old as Zaria city founded by Hausa-Fulani. While Jema’a emirate was founded by the Hausa-Fulani in 1810. Zango town which was also founded by Hausa-Fulani, has been in existence right from West African Trans Sahara trade. Kagarko and Jere were also founded by the Hausa-Fulani as well as Kachia.
“We hereby debunk the claims of the Southern Kaduna People’s Union (SOKAPU) of its personal interest that its members are the only indigenes of Southern Kaduna. Happily. the constitution of the country is seriously against the indigene/settler dichotomy,” he said.
He called on government to dismantle any illegal roadblocks, halt any attack on passers-by as well as trace and bring to book sponsors and perpetrators of these killings.
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