Sokoto, Nigeria - Despite the restoration of relative peace in the Sokoto, Nigeria after three months of sectarian clashes, tension still envelops the city as mutual resentment and suspicion between the two feuding sects linger, residents said on Friday.
The clashes were between followers of rival Shia and Sunni Muslim sects.
At least seven people were killed and 53 houses were burnt or vandalised in the clashes that erupted ostensibly over control of the central mosque but which faction leaders, government officials and the police blame on politicians opposed to the state government.
Shia sect spokesperson Sidi Mannir said: "The attacks have stopped but we are not sure if the state government will be able to arrest the masterminds of the attacks and punish them, given their status and connections."
"Only the arrest and prosecution of the masterminds of the attacks will ensure lasting peace because if the arrests are limited to the thugs, the masterminds can recruit new squad from the army of hooligans around," he added.
Following the arrest by the police of Umar Dan-Maishiyya, a Sunni cleric suspected of fuelling the clashes, a Sunni mob went on rampage and burnt down a local government secretariat in Sokoto which led to a police crackdown and arrests were made.
Heavy police presence
Police patrol vehicles have been combing the dusty, refuse-littered streets since Friday, arresting thugs suspected of involvement in the clashes with the help of local vigilantes and rival groups did not participate in the violence.
"The vigilantes are only helping the police to effect the arrests because they know every thug and where to find him. They help our men access the deep recesses of the old city where the suspects live," said Sokoto state police spokesperson Muhammad Umar Dakin-Gari.
Fear of revenge
The involvement of the vigilantes in the clampdown on suspected trouble makers has been a source of concern to inhabitants of the city who fear gang fights between rival groups once the police are off the streets.
"My fear is the youths that have escaped arrest may not take it lightly on their rivals who sold them out to the authorities," Abdullahi Buhari, a civil servant, said while inspecting the carcass of his car that was burnt along with 24 others when Sunni rioters set the local government secretariat ablaze.
"The police operation has been hijacked by thugs and vigilantes who have taken the law into their hands, terrorising opponents and innocent people in the name of assisting the police. This could have a negative effect in the long run," said Sidi Alhaji.
The Shia followers view the formation of a reconciliation committee of clerics and traditional chiefs by the Sokoto sultan Muhammadu Maccido with distrust, alleging the committee is made up of people who sponsored the violence.