Houses burnt, residents killed in fresh Kaduna religious crisis

Many houses were reportedly burnt and some residents killed in fresh religious violence that broke out in Kasuwan Magani community in Kajuru Local Government Area of Kaduna State yesterday.

However, the police have deployed armed personnel in the troubled commercial town located at about 36 kilometres away from Kaduna metropolis.

About 20 persons were injured in the fracas between Christian and Muslim youths and property worth millions of naira, including vehicles, were burnt by the irate youths, according to an eye witness account.

The eyewitness said the crisis erupted following a misunderstanding between some Christian and Muslim youths over an alleged conversion of two Christian girls into Islam.

Meanwhile, some residents of the area, including Ahmadu Dogo and Jummai, told newsmen that attempts by Christian and Muslim youths to stop their girls from dating their male counterparts from religions different from theirs was the major cause of the violence.

They also said some people were killed during the fracas.

The Sole Administrator of the local government, Aminu Rabiu, said the “disagreement among the Christian and Muslim youths led to the loss of lives, property and peace in the area.”

He said the quick response of the security agencies helped in restoring order.

He added, “We have already evacuated the injured persons to the hospital and they are responding to treatment.”

Rabiu appealed to the residents to embrace the culture of living in peace.

Spokesman of the Kaduna State Police Command, Murkhtar Aliyu, confirmed the incident and said security agents had been drafted to restore peace.

He said, “There are casualties, but I cannot ascertain the number at the moment. But I can assure you, peace has been restored to the area.”

Governor Mallam Nasir El-Rufai has ordered arrest and prosecution of the culprits.

El-Rufai’s spokesman, Samuel Aruwan, in a statement said that the governor directed the prosecution of the masterminds shortly after receiving a preliminary report on the mayhem.

Aruwan said the government had sympathised with the victims and their families and directed the State Emergency Management Agency to take an inventory of damage and provide relief materials immediately.