Six residential houses and seven shops have been razed in Katangan, Warji Local Government Area of Bauchi State during a violent religious riot.
Also, several persons injured were injured in the incident.
A 40-year old female staff of the Medical Department in Warji Local Government, Rhoda Jatau,
The riot reportedly started on Friday and dragged into Saturday when a 40-year old female staff of the Medical Department in Warji Local Government, Rhoda Jatau, allegedly made a blasphemous statement, which trended on social media, against Islam.
The Christian woman made the alleged statement in reaction to stoning to death and burning of Deborah Samuel, a female student of Shehu Shagari College of Education, Sokoto, by her school mates and Islamic extremists for allegedly insulting Prophet Muhammad.
The Bauchi State Police Command through a statement by its spokesman, Ahmed Wakili, confirmed the incident, disclosing that the riot was over an alleged blasphemy against Islam.
Wakili, who said investigation into the incident has commenced, disclosed that no life was lost.
He further disclosed that the state Commissioner of Police, Umar Mamman Sanda, had deployed Tactical Teams, Mobile Police Force and Rapid Response Squad (RRS), saying the joint efforts of security agencies have brought the situation under control.
The statement read in part: “The area is calm for now, while visibility Patrols are on going to keep the peace.
“Some irate youths set six (6) houses and seven (7) shops ablaze, while some scores of persons were injured as a result of a blasphemous message posted on a social media by one Rhoda Jatau (female) 40-year old, a staff of the Medical Department Warji Local Government.
“The Commissioner of Police appeals to the general public to be calm and go about their lawful business without any fear of intimidation as normalcy has been restored in the affected area.
“While assuring the general public that the Police are on top of the situation and will continue to update the public as to the level of investigation from time to time, the command would like to use this medium to reiterate the need for parents and guardians to maintain strict vigilance over the activities of their wards, particularly youths.
“The Commissioner of Police also advises religious leaders, community leaders and elders generally to always speak to the youths to desist from anything that could tamper with the security of their areas.”
