Nigeria Clashes Continue - Curfew Imposed After More Christian-Muslim Violence
A 24-hour curfew is in effect for a central Nigeria town where Christians and Muslims reportedly clashed yesterday, leaving one person dead.
Troops were deployed and the curfew was instituted in the town of Kafanchan in Kaduna state. Violence was initiated when the body of a Muslim youth was found in the town. A group of young Muslims suspected young Christians were responsible and law enforcement had to intervene.
"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," Kaduna government spokesman Rueben Buhari told AFP.
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Local police officers arrested Christian youths for the murder of their Muslim friend who had visited them in their largely Christian town the previous day.
"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, told AFP.
"The arrest of the Christians infuriated fellow Christians who confronted the Muslims and this situation led to clashes and the setting up of a bonfire," he added.
Christian youth leaders in the area confirmed the reports.
Soldiers were sent to the northeastern part of Nigeria, which includes Kaduna state, after violence in nearby Damaturu and Maiduguri initiated by Muslim terror sect Boko Haram killed over a hundred people this weekend.
Christian youth in the area called for an emergency state to be declared in the region. President Goodluck Johnathan responded by sending troops and asking for the prayers of Christians in Nigeria and around the globe.
It is unclear whether the slain Muslim youth was a member of Boko Haram or if the terror sect had any hand in the violence.
Officials in the region say the curfew was instituted to maintain peace. The town in question sits in a contentious part of Nigeria.
Nigeria is split almost evenly between Christians (who occupy the south) and Muslims (who occupy the north). Violence in recent weeks has occurred mostly in the north but also in rural Christian communities along the central line of division in the country.
Officials hope residents will remain calm amidst the violence. Boko Haram, meanwhile, has vowed continued violence throughout the country.
