Benue State University, Makurdi

The Implication of Religious Conflicts on the Development of Kaduna State, 1992 – 2014

Solomon KYOM, Yakubu Dominic ALKALI and Yaro Moses SHOK

Abstract

Right from creation people have witnessed series of conflicts (Genesis 4:8). Despite the commission God made in the scripture that we (humans) must be at peace. Religious conflicts are on the increase. Conflicts have harmful implications to the people and society. Conflict causes underdevelopment, lack of peace, loss of lives and property, poor healthcare services as well as poor social services. The paper uses both primary and secondary data source of information, which comprises of documents, books, journals, as well as magazines and other relevant materials available to the researchers. The researcher used Marxist theory of religion, which is rooted in Karl’s Marx critique of capitalism. The paper established that the implications of conflicts in Kaduna State; most especially Southern Kaduna is very devastating. In addition, many people have lost their loved ones and means of livelihood which can never be recovered. It has led to closure of both primary and tertiary institutions in Kaduna State. As a consequence, no single project was carried out in Southern Kaduna for the development of the area by the Government from 2010 to 2015. Never the less, from 2015 to 2021, Southern Kaduna had suffered from the experience of killings and kidnapping. The paper recommends that to maintain peace in Kaduna State. Government should avoid all overt and covert support for any religion at the detriment of the other. All religious faiths in the State should be given equal treatment both in theory and practice as it is enshrined in the constitution. In the light of the above, the paper concludes that, all Nigerians especially Kaduna State citizens should make conscious and deliberate effort to win and preserve peace by taking dialogue very serious and with all sincerity.

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