The Commission of Inquiry instituted by the Kaduna State government to investigate the causes of the religious crisis which rocked Kaduna State in February and May last year, has ordered the arrest of some top leaders of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) Kaduna chapter.
According to a British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) Hausa service programme monitored in Abuja yesterday, the commission's investigations uncovered an official letter written and signed by the CAN Chairman, Kaduna State Chapter, Archbishop Benjamin Audu and 11 others, directing Christians youths in the state to embark on a violence. This was to protest government's plan to introduce the Sharia legal code in Kaduna.
According to the commission others on the list included Archbishop Peter Jatau and Chairman, CAN Northern region Mr. Saidu Dogo.
Speaking on the directive, the CAN chairman stated that the allegation against them were baseless. According to Archbishop Benjamin Audu, there was never a time when CAN leaders order the youths to embark on demonstration talkless of violence against the implementation of Sharia in Kaduna. He said that the only letter they have written was for invitation to attend a meeting.
The CAN chairman maintained that Christianity is a religion of peace and has respect for other religions.