Religious Clash Leaves Many Dead, Several Injured In Kaduna

Kaduna state Governor Nasir El-Rufai

Violent clashes between Christian and Muslim youths in Kasuwan Magani, Kajuru Local Government Area of Kaduna State, has reportedly left seven persons dead while several others were injured.

Reports by The Sun also revealed several houses were burnt in the community located along the Kaduna-Kafanchan expressway, about 31 kilometres from Kaduna, the state capital, before the situation was brought under control by security operatives.

The Kaduna state police spokesman, ASP Aliyu Mukhtar, who confirmed that there was tension in the area, declined to give any actual number of casualties involved.

He however confirmed that security operatives have successfully brought the situation under control and police were currently assessing the situation and extent of damage inflicted upon the area by the clash.

Though there were various versions on the immediate cause of the clash, the various stories pointed to issues surrounding dating Hausa Muslims and Christian girls in the area.

One version of the story claimed that a Christian girl was abducted and converted to Islam and taken to the residence of a Muslim leader, from where the crisis got heated up. But another version claimed that Christian youths were moving around to beat up their girls suspected to be going out with Hausa Muslims in the area.

Naija News understands many residents of the state, especially women and children, were forced out of their homes due to fear of the unknown, while motorists and other road users plying the road were also stranded for hours.

Kaduna State governor, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, has directed that all those responsible for the disorder and mayhem should be brought to justice.

In a statement by Samuel Aruwan, senior special assistant on media and publicity to the governor, El-Rufai condemned the violence and ordered all relevant agencies to swing into action.

“The government has directed the State Emergency Management Agency to take inventory of damage and provide relief materials, with immediate effect. Security forces have been deployed to contain the situation, protect life and property and to prevent any further breakdown of law and order,” he said.

The governor also called on both citizens ans residents of the state to embrace peace and tolerance irrespective of religious, social, ethnic or political differences.