Sectarian Crisis in Northern Nigeria: Case Study of Kaduna State (2007-2016)

Abstract

Sectarian crisis has been said to have erupted from groups with different ideological values and perspectives and had resulted into conflicts and brought about sectarian crisis especially in the northern Nigeria. The study examined the various causes of sectarian crisis in northern Nigeria, which included religious fundamentalism, religious extremism, and political manipulations. The study examined the effect of sectarian crisis in northern Nigeria with Kaduna state used for the case study. It was structurally analyzed with the use of quantitative method due to the nature of the research. The study developed fifteen (15) research questions, which were administered to 2 local government areas in Kaduna state namely Jema’a and Zagon kataf. Both primary and secondary data were used as sources of data. For primary sources data was gotten from the field work where research questionnaires were distributed and, for the secondary sources, data was gotten from journals, articles, published and unpublished books, libraries, works from the existing literature related to this study as well as from the internet. While the simple percentage technique was used in organizing and presenting the data collected. The data analysis revealed that sectarian crisis created ethnic differences and socio-economic problems. The study recommended that for sectarian crisis to be prevented, an elaborate process of depoliticizing ethnic groups must be put in place. The government also should take measures to shutdown religious group crisis by promoting peace and unity in the society. By this northern Nigeria will experience peace, oneness, good security and national Unity.