Calm has returned to Kaduna after clashes early Monday left many injured, residents say.
One witness said three people were killed, but that could not be confirmed.
Witnesses said the clashes took place in the Kabala West Nariya and Umuazu communities, and almost degenerated into a religious crisis between Christians and Muslims.
“Kaduna is a very funny state, I live in this area and we all live together (as) Muslims and Christians, but easily a small fight between friends can escalate to become a religious fight,” one resident told PREMIUM TIMES.
He said before the morning attack, three bodies were found in the affected areas, and by 5 a.m., some gangs had gathered to attack residents of opposite faith.
“Christian youth are attacking Muslims where they are more, and Muslims doing so in areas they are more,” he said. “Many travellers could not pass through the Eastern Bypass especially those going to Abuja and coming to pass through Kaduna to even airport.”
The source asked not to be named.
Samuel Aruwan, the spokesperson for Governor Nasir El-Rufai, said the situation was under control.
Calm has returned to Kaduna after clashes early Monday left many injured, residents say.
One witness said three people were killed, but that could not be confirmed.
Witnesses said the clashes took place in the Kabala West Nariya and Umuazu communities, and almost degenerated into a religious crisis between Christians and Muslims.
“Kaduna is a very funny state, I live in this area and we all live together (as) Muslims and Christians, but easily a small fight between friends can escalate to become a religious fight,” one resident told PREMIUM TIMES.
He said before the morning attack, three bodies were found in the affected areas, and by 5 a.m., some gangs had gathered to attack residents of opposite faith.
“Christian youth are attacking Muslims where they are more, and Muslims doing so in areas they are more,” he said. “Many travellers could not pass through the Eastern Bypass especially those going to Abuja and coming to pass through Kaduna to even airport.”
The source asked not to be named.
Samuel Aruwan, the spokesperson for Governor Nasir El-Rufai, said the situation was under control.
“No life was lost in today’s unrest as far as we know, except for injuries when some youths tried to take advantage of what happened.
“But, everything is under control now, the police and the army are doing their best to restore law and order and we are satisfied with their efforts,” he said.
He called on the youth and residents to remain calm and not to take the law into hands.
Mohammed Lawal, the village head of Kabala West, said the body discovered on Saturday night was found inside a Christian bury ground.
“What happed was that a body of a 20-year-old youth was discovered inside a Christian cemetery in Kabala West.
“Instead of the people to allow the law enforcement to investigate, they went about destroying mosques which aggravated the issue.
“This morning again, we woke up to discover a body allegedly killed last night,” he said.
He advised security agencies to call for a meeting with traditional and community leaders to jointly investigate the remote cause of the unrest.
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