Tension is currently brewing in Katsina State capital following a social media post considered disrespectful by some residents of the State.
The Facebook post, purportedly posted by a Christian indigene of the state, named Mani Abubakar, provoked outrage and resulted in the razing of his house and car in Babaruga after he fled, late Tuesday night, and at the time of filing this report, Abubakar's current whereabouts is unknown.
Speaking anonymously to newsmen, a Christian elder from the area, revealed that Abubakar had allegedly posted derogatory comments about the Muslim religion on Facebook in the Hausa language, which the locals deemed blasphemous, and this sparked a mob outrage.
The Christian Association of Nigeria has been working with authorities and is hoping to meet with the Emir of Katsina to guarantee Abubakar's safety when he eventually returns. Also, Christian leaders in the state have called for kindness, tolerance and understanding across religious lines.
Venerable Muyiwa Segun, the vice chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in Katsina, condemned acts of violence and disrespect for other religions. “Everyone should respect the other’s religion,” Segun stated, adding, “Christians don’t have any business abusing other people’s religion. That is not how to do evangelism.”
Segun further stated that in order to maintain safety and harmony in the community, CAN is collaborating with law enforcement and religious authorities.
