By OLUSEGUN ABISOYE, Lagos

Elder statesman and Second Republic federal lawmaker, Junaid Mohammed has said some religious leaders and retired military Generals are making fortunes from the crisis in Southern Kaduna area of Kaduna state.

The southern part of the state has experienced the worst form of carnage in recent times with hundreds of residents murdered by bandits.

Speaking in an interview with Daily Independent, Junaid who said the situation in the area is purely political with some tribal components added that until these general and religious groups are decisively dealt with, there will not be peace in Southern Kaduna.

He said: “In Southern Kaduna, there are retired Generals and some religious groups, both Islam and Christianity who have been making a fortune out of the instability in the area.

“Unless these ones are dealt with decisively by somebody who has the political guts to do so, there will not be peace.

“We have some religious leaders who are cheerleaders and are making money but at the same time are blaming one religion or ethnic group for lack of peace,” he said.

Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai had on Sunday accused Southern Kaduna leaders of inciting trouble in the area in order to reap financial benefits.

“I have no time for nonsense. I will not appease criminals. I will not appease idle people who have nothing to do but to raise a spectre of genocide. They do that to get money into their bank accounts and get donations from abroad instead of standing up,” he said. (Daily Independent)