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The Nigeria Immigration Services (NIS), on Sunday deported six Pakistani nationals who were arrested two days earlier for threatening the peace and security in Sagamu, the capital of southwestern Ogun State, The Guardian reported on Friday.
The six, arrested on 16 November, had addressed Muslims during Friday prayers, but their preachings were considered inciting. The local residents informed the local area chief who asked the authorities to take action against the Pakistanis. The chief feared that the 'incitement' could spark off a religious crisis.
More than 100 people died in Sagamu in 1999 when ethnic and religious clashes broke out between the local Yoruba people and Hausa-speakers from northern Nigeria. The clashes occurred after a Hausa woman broke a local taboo.
Since 1999, Nigeria has witnessed numerous ethno-religious clashes between Muslims, predominantly in the north, and Christians who mainly live in the south. The adoption of the Islamic religious code- Sharia- by several northern states has heightened tensions between the two groups.
This article was produced by IRIN News while it was part of the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. Please send queries on copyright or liability to the UN. For more information: https://shop.un.org/rights-permissions
