by Stanley Azuakola
On Sunday, a 24-hour curfew was introduced in Kaduna following a series of bomb blasts in Christian worship centres which sparked off reprisals by Christians. The next day, the curfew was reduced to 12 hours. However, following fresh violence Tuesday in Tudun Wada area of the state capital, the state government on Tuesday morning restored a 24-hour curfew on the 23 local government areas of the state and ordered all residents to return to their homes.
It was a chaotic day in Barnawa and Kawo as residents fled to safety following attacks by muslim youths on churches. Three persons were killed during the attacks.
According to a BBC report, Muslim youths fired gunshots, burnt tyres and attacked persons suspected to be Christians. Two of the attackers were however shot dead by soldiers.
Since the violence erupted on Sunday, at least 74 people have been confirmed dead.
Kaduna is not the only city that’s been slammed with a 24-hour curfew as the Yobe State government also imposed same today. The president, who has been summoned by the House of Reps to answer questions about the insecurity, travelled out of the country to Brazil today.
Gov Patrick Yakowa of Kaduna, in a statement released by his Senior Special Assistant on Media, advised Kaduna residents to return to their homes and remain indoors
The statement read that, “In view of certain new security challenges that came up today, and based on the need for the state government to continue with its responsibility of safeguarding all parts of the 23 local government areas of the state.
“As unpalatable as this decision is the state government is doing it in the best interest of the state. Consequently, everybody is strongly advised to go back home now, while security agencies continue with the task of ensuring total peace in the state.”
A News Agency of Nigeria report stated that there was pandemonium in the city centre as residents, including civil servants and traders, were seen running to security establishments and worship places for protection. Markets, motor parks, banks and public offices were hurriedly closed due to the unrest.
Operatives of the Security Task Force, Operation Yaki, have been deployed to contain the situation.
Dis is y there will neva b peace in naija. And if u pple will keep reportn like dis, den nthn gud will com out of ur reportn. U jst reportd dat muslim youths start burnin churches, how abt tens of innocent muslims dat were killed. Dis injustice needs to stop. More over we dont knw d pple bombin churches bt d zaria bomber was arrestd nd he is a christain. Y go attack innocent muslims in deir mosques and on d road. Muslims r bein push to d wall. Iz dat fair. Even if its a muslim dat bomb a church is it fair to attack oda innocent pple dat knw nthn? Bt karma is a bitch n it shall surely caught up wt d peeps doin di.