Many are predicting that another violence is in the offing after residents in Kano demanded for the immediate demolition of the residence of late Muhammad Turi that has been converted to a shrine by Shi'ite members in the state.
Shiites protesting the killing of their members by the Nigerian military (file photo)
There is tension in Kano after residents of Kofar Waika quarters asked the Kano State Government to demolish the residence of late Muhammad Turi that has been converted to a shrine by Shi’ite members in the state.
This was expressed in a strongly worded petition by the residents under the aegis of Kofar Waika Community Elders Committee, and signed by Alhaji Lawan Waika. It read in part: “none of the residents of Waika area is of the Shi’ite sect.
"Since the Shi’ites’ clash with the military at Zaria in December 2015, we have been witnessing the presence and movement of strange faces in and out of the area.
“Shi’ite members organize preaching sessions and they disrespect constituted authority in the process; they also disrespect the traditional rulers and members of the security agencies and also incite their followers to carry out violent acts”.
The residents revealed that the late Turi’s residence, which is alleged to have been converted to a shrine, is located on the northern plain of Goron Dutse hill, behind the residence of Sheik Isyaku Rabiu and has been a source of commotion.
However, the Islamic Movement of Nigeria, IMN, has reacted to the petition as it dismissed the call for demolition of Turi’s residence, describing it as a “peak of mischief”.
In a statement released in Kano, and signed by Dr. Dauda Nalado, IMN said that what is being referred to as shrine serves as “Kano Markaz” of IMN.
According to Vanguard, Dr Nalado, who is a university don, in the statement, noted that “the Islamic Center has been in the neighborhood for the past 13 years and in over a decade of its existence there has never been a single report of any criminal activity by the neighbours of the center.”
He maintained that “for anybody to claim that members of the Islamic Movement are engaged in dangerous activities is malicious, mischievous and a blatant lie”.
The statement further called on the Kano State Government to “disregard such malicious claims perpetrated by mischief makers bent on brewing sectarian sentiments that will be detrimental to peaceful coexistence in the state”.
He further stressed “The Islamic Movement for the past 40 years has been the most tolerant of all groups and associations within the Islamic community in the country, therefore for someone to associate us with violence is the peak of mischief”.
A visit to the contentious structure at Kofar Waika quarters 300metres from a police station revealed stern-looking malnourished middle aged men keeping vigil.