5 Dead, Churches And Mosque Burnt, Dusk to Dawn Curfew In Fresh Religious Crisis In Taraba State

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Troops were yesterday deployed in a Taraba State community following the outbreak of religious crisis in which five people died. A church vigilance group reportedly killed a man who insisted on going through the checkpoint set up to prevent attacks on the church building during service. This triggered riots that led to the death of four people.

The clash was reportedly between Christian and Muslim youths in Ibi Local Government Area of the state. Rioters burnt down houses and shops in the remote area of Ibi, about 230 kilometres from the state capital of Jalingo, said Ibi Local Government Chairman Isiaku Adamu.

Abubakar Bello, an Ibi resident, told The Associated Press (AP) that churches and mosques were also torched as he stood outside his home to protect it. He said residents were fleeing the town. A Taraba State government spokesman, Emmanuel Bello, said authorities had sent troops to the area to quell the violence. Only a few days ago, an innocent taxi driver was allegedly killed by military men in the state, after nine other people were abducted in Jalingo by unknown gunmen. Six of the nine abducted persons were found dead a day after their abduction.

The insecurity in Taraba continued to worsen when yesterday, violence broke out in Ibi.

Police Spokesman Amos Olaoye confirmed the crisis, saying “our men are already there to maintain law and order.”

The Chairman of the Local Government said he is aware that “one person was killed in the crisis”.

He said: “From all indications, the crisis is no longer a religious skirmish. It is a political crisis.

“I am yet to visit the crisis area, but security men, including soldiers, have been drafted to the area to maintain law and order”.

An eye witness told a source that even law enforcement agents drafted to the area were finding it difficult to contain the situation.

A source said the violence started in a small way, but snowballed into a political crisis. The source said: “It could be a retaliation by the offended Muslim. I saw more than five persons killed. Many others were injured; they are receiving treatment in the hospital.

“I also saw the Christian Reformed Church of Nigeria (CRCN) on fire. For now, I don’t know the number of churches and mosques that have been razed.”

Rhipplemdia however gathered that a dusk-to-dawn curfew has been imposed in the state by authorities, furthermore security forces have been instructed to shoot anyone who disregards the ban on movements.