Journalists call FG’s attention to video that could ‘worsen’ Ile-Ife crisis

Journalists for Democratic Rights(JODER) has urged the federal government and the government of Osun state to stop a hate video being circulated online in order to prevent in renewed hostility and fresh violence in Ile-Ife.

In a statement signed by Adewale Adeoye, the group said the video has a collection of gory pictures of killed and maimed individuals from the March 7 crisis that occurred in the ancient city.

At least five people were killed and many injured in a clash between Yoruba and Hausa residents of Ife.

Rauf Aregbesola, governor of the state, even imposed a 2-day curfew to check the situation.

Adeoye described the video, which try to create the impression that all the victims of the attack are of the same ethnic group, as a “veiled call for revenge”.

“We are alerting the federal government, police, the government and people of Osun state to immediately douse the thick atmosphere of suspicion and hate being fuelled by the web circulation of a video calling for revenge killings,” he said in a statement.

“The video has a collection of gory pictures of killed and maimed individuals following the crisis that erupted in Ife on March 7 during which people of varying ethnic and religious backgrounds were killed.

“Though the video claimed those killed were of northern extraction, there is no proof beyond the fact that the riot led to the unfortunate deaths of people of diverse ethnic and religious calling. The video clip is filled with vengeance and rabid appeal to base instinct capable of setting in motion a chain of killings and mayhem if not promptly arrested.

“The attention of the Journalists for Democratic Rights, (JODER) was drawn into this video by some youth leaders in the northern part of the county who have been working with JODER on peace building. We have seen the video which has a voice over in Hausa, laced with mind-boggling pictures of those allegedly killed during the recent Ife crisis.

“There is the probability that some people want to feast on a communal feud which they intend to turn into a catastrophe. This video will fuel fresh emotion and possible reprisal killings either at Ile-Ife or in any other parts of the country.

“It is uncertain who the author(s) of the video is or are. The video might actually be the creation of a third party, desperate to lock horns for parochial interests.”

Meanwhile, Nasir el-Rufai, governor of Kaduna state, has warned against any reprisal attack.

The warning came following the circulation of images from the disturbing video, on social media.

“Residents of Kaduna state have been urged to do their utmost best to uphold peace in the state,” read a statement issued on el-Rufai’s behalf by Samuel Aruwan, his spokesman.

“Citizens should remain calm and firmly reject any attempt to drag residents of the state into events happening elsewhere in the country.

“Already, the unfortunate incidents in that part of the country have been contained and taken care of, so the government would not watch enemies of peace capitalise on the situation to cause problems in Kaduna.

“The Kaduna state security council wishes to commend the vast majority of the state’s residents for their commitment to peace.”