RESIDENTS of some parts of the country are now gripped with fear over the threat by some fanatics to protest the execution of the former Iraqi president, Saddam Hussein.
Nigerian Tribune gathered that various Islamic groups in Plateau, Yobe, Kano, Borno, Sokoto, the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, and many other states were now organising themselves to unleash terror on non-indigenes in those parts of the country.
Non-indigenes of the area and some Christian leaders, the Nigerian Tribune gathered, were also making plans to seek refuge in some security quarters in the states to protect their lives.
Intelligence reports from the security agencies also confirmed that some Muslim fanatics were planning mayhem on non-Muslims all over the country.
Police Commissioner of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Mr. Lawrence Alobi, disclosed to the Nigerian Tribune in a telephone interview in Abuja on Monday that �the fanatics also planned to attack churches and properties of non-Muslims.�
He, however, said that the police were ready to curtail the potential insurgence and advised residents of the FCT and other parts of the country not to panic, but to go about their normal daily activities.
He said security had been beefed up around all churches in Abuja following the intelligence report.
In Plateau State, there was a wild display by some youths while coming from the Muslim prayer ground on Saturday. The youth, who rode in trucks, threatened inhabitants with cutlasses, clubs, spears and swords.
Nigerian Tribune gathered that residents of Ahmadu Bello Way, Abattoir Road, Bauchi Road, Terminus area and other parts of Jos were disturbed by the threats of the fanatics.
In Yobe State, a group called Shittes planned demonstrations in Potiskum, threatening to stage a vengeance protest against the execution of Saddam.
The protest in Potiskum was, however, nipped in the bud by the state Commissioner of Police, Mr. Eugene Njepu, and the Emir of Potiskum. The situation in Kano State was calm on Tuesday after threats by some Islamic fundamentalists.
But, the Nigerian Tribune gathered that the group had only postponed its action. Nigerian Tribune gathered further that the Federal Government had sent a signal through the office of the Inspector General of Police, Mr. Sunday Ehindero, that security be beefed up across the country to prevent a situation where the security forces could be caught napping.
According to another source, police formations across the country, together with other security and intelligence agencies, had fortified their various states. Saddam, who ruled Iraq for about 30 years, was overthrown four years ago after the invasion of the country by forces led by the United States.
Meanwhile, a Lagos-based Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO), Human Rights Watch (HRW), has condemned the execution of the former Iraqi leader, saying �Saddam Hussein was responsible for massive human rights violations, but that can�t justify giving him the death penalty, which is cruel and inhuman punishment.�
Speaking through its director of International Justice Programme, Mr. Richard Dicker, it stated that HRW had for more than 15 years documented the human rights crimes committed by Hussein�s government, and had campaigned to bring the perpetrators to justice�, stressing that this did not mean that Hussein should be executed.
The group, in a statement, said it was opposed to the death penalty in all circumstances, noting that �increasingly, governments are abolishing the death penalty in domestic law. �The test of a government�s commitment to human rights is measured by the way it treats its worst offenders�, said Dicker in the statement, noting that �history will judge these actions harshly.�
Hussein was tried by a tribunal for crimes against humanity. The tribunal, which was backed by the United States, passed a death sentence on him in November for ordering the execution of about 140 Shiites.
Saddam was hanged on Saturday which incidentally fell on a Muslim festival and this angered some Muslims around the world. Immediately after his execution, Libya declared three days of national mourning for him just like Saudi Arabia which disrupted its aviation and telecommunications networks, while in Nigeria, the execution elicited mixed feelings among Muslims.
A report issued in November 2006 by Human Rights Watch identified numerous flaws in the trial of Hussein for the Dujail executions. The 97-page report, �Judging Dujail: The First Trial Before the Iraqi High Tribunal,� according to HRW, was based on 10 months of observation and dozens of interviews with judges, prosecutors and defence lawyers.