BY Oluseyi Awojulugbe
The Journalists for Democratic Rights (JODER) has alerted the federal government about some organised armed groups allegedly planning to revenge the ethnic crisis in Ile-Ife, osun state.
This is the second time JODER would be issuing a warning since the March 8 clash between Yoruba and Hausa traders in the ancient city.
In a statement issued on Friday, JODER said a hate video clip is currently in circulation.
“The new video seen on Thursday is the second of such hate video being circulated with intent to create a sense of siege that will spur violence,” the statement, which was signed by Akinwale Kasali, JODER’s assistant programme officer, read.
“There are two dangerous video clips in circulation. The two of them are being circulated mostly in northern parts of the country calling on Muslims to rise up and revenge.
“In one of the videos, clips of victims were used as propaganda tools. In the other video, it appeared the people fanning the embers of revenge collected several pictures from violent incidences that happened across the world, including the killings in Somalia and Rwanda to depict the Ife crisis. This is currently fanning a fresh wave of anger and desperation.
“The speech in the video is filled with hate and avarice. The objective is to stir killings, riots and violence. We do not know how these elements may wish to carry out these planned attacks, but it appears the threat of reprisal is real.”
Like the first video, Kasali said the second was sent to JODER by northerners working with the body on peace building across the country.
He observed that since the crisis on March 8, there has been uneasy tension and some people were desperately waiting for an opportunity to renew the hostility.
JODER advised the federal government to act fast by probing the origin of the video and halt another round of violence.
The federal government was also advised to intensify security patrol along the country’s highways so as to stop the transportation of dangerous weapons riotous elements may wish to use in their plot to cause another ethnic uproar.
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