‘Over 1,000 shops, houses burnt’ — residents speak on Kaduna violence

Some residents of Kasuwan Magani in Kajuru local government area of Kaduna state on Tuesday said not less than 1,000 shops and houses were set ablaze in the violence which broke out in the community.

Twelve people were reportedly killed in the unfortunate incident, which happened as a result of a misunderstanding between Muslim and Christian youth.

When TheCable visited the community on Tuesday, victims lamented the loss.

Mustapha Abubakar, a trader, said his brother was killed while his car and shop containing 110 bags were burnt.

“My brother was killed, my car was burnt. My shop with 110 bags of maize was burnt. I don’t know what to do! I don’t know where I am going to start from in this difficult times.  I don’t know what we did to these, they have my life,” he said.

Joseph Kwanji, a trader, estimated his loss at over N10 million.

He said his trucks worth N3.8million which was purchased last week was also burnt.

“The incident happened when I was in Kaduna. At about 10am, my boys called me to say there is violence and I should come and remove the truck which I bought last week at the cost of N3.8 million and was parked in front of the hotel,” he said.

“On approaching the town there was fire, smokes and gunshots everywhere. I had to park on the way to trek down in order to remove the truck, but the situation was so dangerous.

“They entered into the hotel, vandalised everything and set the place on fire. There is no bank here, all the money we made during the weekend, about N7.6 million was looted when the hoodlums broke into the manager’s room, broke the safe, took the money and burnt the place.”

Abdulwahab Jibo said the problem started about two weeks ago, but steps were not taken to nip it in the bud.

“There are Muslims boys that are dating Christian girls. Some of the girls dating the Muslim boys converted to Islam,” Jibo said.

“The brothers of one of the girls who converted and married a Muslim boy rejected the marriage and went to the residence of the Muslim boy to take her away.

“The Muslim boys resisted attempts to forcefully take the girl and a fight ensued.  When the Christian boys realised that they would be overpowered, they retreated and went back to mobilise their people. The Muslim boys also mobilised and before you knew it they started shooting guns and attacking each other with dangerous weapons.”

The police said 18 people have been arrested in connection with the incident.