By Sani Idris Abdulrahman

The Muslim Youth Foundation of Southern Kaduna (MYFOSKA) has called for a balanced and factual approach to documenting the history of insecurity, communal violence and citizenship in Southern Kaduna.

The foundation said historical accounts should recognise the experiences of all victims without weaponising religion, ethnicity or the memories of affected communities for political advantage.

In a statement signed by its National Chairman, Dr Kabiru Muhammed, and National Secretary, Usman Abubakar, MYFOSKA said its position was neither an endorsement nor opposition to any administration.

It said the position was aimed at promoting historical balance, equal citizenship, recognition of all victims and objective assessment of governments based on evidence and performance.

The organisation said Southern Kaduna comprised diverse ethnic groups, religious traditions and political affiliations, making it inappropriate for any group to claim exclusive ownership of the region’s history.

MYFOSKA said Muslims had lived, traded, worshipped and contributed to the development of communities across Southern Kaduna for generations.

It added that the Muslim community remained a legitimate stakeholder with equal rights to citizenship, property ownership, worship, political participation and representation.

The foundation said the history of insecurity and communal violence in Southern Kaduna did not begin in 2015, noting that the region had experienced conflicts several years earlier.

It listed the Kasuwan Magani violence, Zangon Kataf crisis, Sharia-related disturbances, recurrent communal conflicts and the 2011 post-election violence among earlier crises.

MYFOSKA, however, said the historical context did not absolve the immediate past Nasir El-Rufai administration or any other government of responsibility for events occurring during their tenure.

It said governments should be assessed based on their responses to insecurity and their ability to protect lives and property.

The organisation called for recognition of the suffering of Muslim communities, alongside victims from other ethnic and religious backgrounds.

It stressed that there should be no hierarchy of suffering, noting that every innocent person killed, displaced family or community denied security deserved recognition.

MYFOSKA also urged authorities to distinguish between innocent communities and perpetrators of violence, warning against collective blame based on ethnic or religious identities.

The foundation said its disagreement with describing the entire eight-year El-Rufai administration as a period of “darkness” did not imply that the administration was without shortcomings.

It acknowledged that the administration faced serious security challenges, controversies and legitimate grievances, but said its record should also reflect institutional reforms and development interventions.

MYFOSKA said development achievements should not erase the pain of victims, just as security failures should not automatically erase positive contributions by an administration.

The organisation called for responsible documentation of Southern Kaduna’s history, saying atrocities should be recorded without turning victims’ memories into instruments of permanent hostility.

It urged Muslims in Southern Kaduna to maintain political independence and defend their collective interests without offering unconditional support to either former or present administrations.

The foundation also called on the Kaduna State Government to remain vigilant against individuals and groups exploiting ethnicity, religion and historical grievances for political advantage.

It urged the government to promote inclusive governance, fair political representation, equitable development, broad security consultations and genuine peace-building.

MYFOSKA said Southern Kaduna deserved truth, balance and justice, adding that its future should not be held hostage by past conflicts or divisive political narratives.

The organisation pledged to continue advocating truth, justice, equal citizenship, security, representation and development without discrimination.