Armed soldiers and policemen continued to patrol the streets, amid an uneasy calm after two days of violence that started between two Muslim factions of the 'Izala Faith' over the use of one mosque for Jumat prayers on Friday.
The violence however sucked in some Christians in the city as an argument over whether some Muslims can pack their cars in a nearby church led to the burning of at least four churches and a mosque, the local media reported Sunday.
''There had been disagreement between the groups that worship in the same mosque in the area. Because of this disagreement which started a long time ago, an agreement was reached where one faction would use the mosque earlier and vacate it later for the other one to use,'' the private Guardian Sunday quoted a source in Bauchi as saying.
Presidential spokesman Olusegun Adeniyi told journalists in the capital city of Abuja on Saturday evening that the President was satisfied that the situation had been brought under control.
''The situation in Bauchi has been contained. The President was the first to be briefed on what happened and he directed the military authority to complement the efforts of the police to keep peace in the town,'' he said.
The crisis has forced the authorities in Jos, capital of neighbouring Plateau state, to put security agencies on a high alert to avoid a spillover.
Last November, hundreds died in a political/religious violence in Jos.
Lagos - 22/02/2009
Pana
| < Prev | Next > |
|---|