10 Feared Dead As Rioters Burn Houses In Kaduna

A fresh round of violence erupted between Kadara and Hausa youths at Kasuwan Magani town in Kajuru local government of Kaduna State.

The crisis was said to have started Monday morning over allegations that a lady was about to be converted to a different faith.

Youths from both sides clashed, resulting in one stabbing.

A source said there have been tension in the area since last week over some social issues and youths across the religious divide were agitated as they traded accusations.

After the initial fight, some of the youths were said to have retreated after the incident and later mobilized and started burning houses perceived to be owned by the people of different faiths and in the bid to stop them heavy fighting ensued between the two sides and more casualties were recorded.

A resident of Kajuru, Malam Bako said more than 10 people have been killed while fighting was still ongoing as  at the time of filing this report..

He said, “My friend lost two of his brothers while his house was burnt and as I talking to you they are bringing more corpses to Kajuru,” he said.

Another source who does not want to be named due to his political exposure confirmed that the casualties were high.

He said may houses have been burnt including the two biggest hotels in Kasuwan Magani town.

The police has however mobilized to the area to ensure there’s no further breakdown of law and order.

The police public relations officer, ASP Mukhtar Hussain Aliyu who confirmed the clash said the police received a distress call in the morning and the commissioner of police quickly dispatched a team led by the Assistant Commissioner of Police (Operations) to the area.

He said the unit has been joined by men of Operation Yaki and the mobile police force unit and they have succeeded in bringing the situation under control.

“That is all I can for now, further details would be communicated to you,” he said.

Last year, there was a similar incident at Kajuru town with fighting going on for two days.