How Soldiers, Social Media Fuelled Violence 

 

The violent riot that erupted in some parts of Kaduna State following the simultaneous bomb explosions in Zaria and Kaduna was largely motivated by the soldiers as well as the social media such as twitter, facebook and Blackberry Messenger.
LEADERSHIP gathered that shots by the armed soldiers stationed at Gonin-Gora area, along Kaduna-Abuja road, sparked the violence that left a number of people dead.
The crisis, which started like a protest in Romi junction following explosion at Shalom Church, turned into uncontrolled violence when the soldiers started firing the protesters.
It was further learnt that as soon as news of the soldiers’ shooting filtered into the social media, the youth of Sabon-Tasha, Television, Nassarawa and Romi started attacking and killing each other.
Speaking to LEADERSHIP, the Head of the Gonin Gora, Mal. Yusuf Doma, said ,“If not that the soldiers shot and killed the peace loving people of Gonin-Gora, there would not have been any violence in the area.”
 Doma continued, “The youth of my domain came back from church that Sunday and were going about their normal business until the soldiers came and started shooting at anybody seen on the street.
“And as soon as the soldiers started shooting, the youth came out en mass to protest the soldiers decision which later led to burnt tires and burning of places.
“The youth did not kill anybody but three of our boys were shot by the soldiers and they are currently receiving treatment at the hospitals.”
The Kaduna State chapter of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in a statement asked the army to investigate how a soldier allegedly killed two persons in Kaduna leading to the violence.
It said, “Let there be an investigation because it is clear the soldier was just shooting people and many of the casualties were even shot to death by soldiers and police.
“CAN was reliably informed that some security agents, attacked and killed some youths at Maraban Rido and other locations in Kaduna and environs, but were later arrested and disarmed and now under detention.”
Meanwhile, LEADERSHIP checks revealed that the social media such as twitter and facebook were used to spread information about the explosions.
As soon as the bomb went off comments such as “Goningoro boys mobilizing now 2 attack back”; “Why is it that every Sunday they must bomb church? this things is geting out of control oo”; “Boko haram have metamophos into Christianity haram. Hmmmm!Those sponsoring d bombing of children, adult, churches e.t.c should better repent b4 they perish in HELL FIRE”;  “If Christian leaders continue to order their people to shed blood of innocent Muslims around them in the name of reprisal, what left for the Muslims around the country is to defend their lives from maiming and destruction,” were tweeted and all over facebook pages.
Also, the various comments posted by the users of the social media incited many to join the violence and take revenge.