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…Govt imposes 24-hr curfew on Kachia as groups burn churches, mosques
Kaduna State government yesterday imposed a 24-hour curfew on Kachia Local Government Area as groups of residents took to the burning of churches and mosques.
Security agents, who confirmed the curfew last night, said it was to prevent the crisis from escalating.
Nigerian Pilot learnt that the crisis arose from mutual suspicion between two communities in Kachia town, which led to aggrieved residents demolishing and burning mosques and churches in the area.
An eyewitness said that trouble started when some youths went to put up a fence around a prayer ground to prevent encroachment but discovered that a part of it earlier renovated and fenced had been damaged by unknown persons.
The youths, it was gathered, reported the incident to the Local Government Chairman, Mr. Peter Agaite, who promised to foot the bill of the renovation of the damaged portion of the prayer ground but did not keep his promise until yesterday when the youths discovered another damage to the facility. The youths allegedly retaliated by destroying a nearby church. Another set of aggrieved youths allegedly went on rampage, burning the mosques in the community.
Meanwhile, Kaduna State Governor, Mukhtar Ramalan Yero, has called on the people in Kachia town and environs to remain calm and shun any attempt by enemies of peace to cause confusion in the town.
In a statement signed by the Director-General, Media and Publicity, Ahmed Maiyaki, the governor urged Kachia residents to avoid taking laws into their hands, adding that his administration was working with security agencies to protect life and property of the people.
He said: “Government will not fold its arms and allow ‘enemies of peace’ to cause mayhem in our state. I call on all law-abiding citizens to go about their businesses without fear of intimidation as security forces have already been directed to deal decisively with troublemakers.”
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