Curfew imposed after Muslim-Christian clashes in Nigeria

By Rizwan Khatik - Thu Nov 10, 2:39 pm

Authorities imposed an indefinite 24-hour curfew and deployed troops in the Nigerian town of Kafanchan in southern Kaduna State Wednesday following clashes between Muslims and Christians, an official said.

Kaduna state government spokesman Reuben Buhari told AFP on telephone that “the situation has been brought under control and more soldiers and policemen have been deployed to the town. Soldiers have been ordered to arrest anyone seen outside on the streets.”

The trouble started after a corpse, said to be of a Muslim, was found in the mainly Christian neighborhood. Security agents arrested some Christian youths, accused of killing the Muslim.

“Tension gripped the town following the discovery of the corpse of the Muslim motorcyclist with gunshot and machete wounds. Muslims mobilized to fight the Christians, accused of killing him,” Mudi Shafiu, a Muslim youth leader, said.

“The arrest of the Christians infuriated Christians who confronted the Muslims and this situation led to clashes,” he added.

The violence comes days after the killing of two Christian women in a church of a nearby town.

Buhari said the curfew was necessary to maintain peace in the areas. He also appealed to citizens in the state to remain calm and law abiding.

The region sits on the dividing line between Nigeria’s predominantly Christian south and Muslim north.

At least 500 people died in the area in Muslim-Christian reprisal attacks after President Goodluck Jonathan, a Christian southerner, was elected in April.

AFP