The governors of the 19 northern states on Saturday held an emergency meeting in Kaduna to deliberate over the recent bloody clash between soldiers and members of the Isamic Movement of Nigeria, that left scores killed.
Chairman of the Northern Governors Forum and Borno State Governor, Kashim Shettima, in his remarks, said the meeting was conveyed to identify the remote and immediate causes of the incident, and thereafter, ensure that the crisis does not spread to other states in the region.
While expressing worry that the incident involves an Islamic group that has a large membership across the 19 in the region and beyond, Governor Shettima noted that the matter, if not properly handled, could trigger another form of restiveness just like the Boko Haram terrorist sect in the north.
He said the governors will take all necessary measures at their disposal to ensure that the incident does not provide room for anyone or group to perpetuate violence in any of the 19 northern States, stating that they will not want the same mistake that happened over the Boko Haram crisis to repeat itself.
Although Governor Shettima absolved the Islamic Movement of being a terrorist group, he maintained that the governors will ensure that adequate measures would be put in place to ensure that criminal elements do not cash on the Zaria incident to create violence in the immediate or long run.
The governors also commended Governor Nasir El-Rufai of Kaduna State for the bold steps he has taken so far to ensure that normalcy returns in Zaria and other parts of the state.
Religious Processions Banned
At the end of the meeting that lasted for over three hours, the forum called on religious organisations and all citizens to respect the law and constituted authority by conducting their activities within the confines of the law.
The governors while condemning the arbitrary blockage of highways through unathourized processions by some religious organisations and social groups, resolved that henceforth, processions in the region must be allowed only with police permit and protection as prescribed by law.
They also reassured citizens of their readiness to ensure law and order, respect their constitutional rights to practice their religion without infringing the rights of others.
