Bauchi, Nigeria - Religious crisis reared its ugly head again yesterday in ancient Bauchi city as fighting broke out in Kagadama area of the metropolis following the alleged demolition of a mosque by unidentified people.
The mosque, situated at the Baba Tanko Secondary School in Kagadama, was under construction and was allegedly pulled down by unknown persons whom THISDAY learnt were suspected to be against its location.
This action was said to have angered some Muslims in the area, leading to the outbreak of violence that extended to Yelwan Tudu and Angwan Angas areas.
THISDAY investigations revealed that security reports had earlier indicated that tension was building up in the affected area following the disagreement on the location of the mosque in the secondary school but that not much was done to nip it in the bud.
A score of people were believed to have lost their lives but the Police said only one life was lost and a few houses burnt.
The Redeemed Christian Church of God, Kagadama and Elim Church were destroyed while two mosques at Kagadama and Angwan Angas were also affected.
Apart from the churches and mosques, houses and vehicles were also set on fire during the riots.
Hundreds of residents have started fleeing their homes to take refuge in police barracks following the incident.
Bauchi State Governor, Mallam Isa Yuguda, who was away in Abuja, had to hurriedly rush back when he was informed of the outbreak of the crisis.
The visibly shaken governor imposed a dusk to dawn curfew on the town last night after inspecting the affected areas with senior government officials.
Yuguda also visited some of the displaced victims whom had taken shelter at the Yelwa Police and Army barracks to sympathise with them.
Yuguda condemned the act in a telephone interview with THISDAY, saying the riot was politically motivated to cause confusion in the state.
He said: "There are some politicians that are bent on causing confusion in the state, and have gone as far as recruiting some youth as thugs to perpetrate this act, but the police have swung into action to investigate the matter,"
The governor who said he had just returned from Abuja to meet the crisis said he went straight to the hot spot (Yelwa) to ensure that the situation was put under control.
He debunked the rumor that the crisis had any thing to do with religion saying, "it is absolutely political, and those behind it will be unveiled shortly."
But a student of Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, Bauchi who simply identified himself as Justin, said the crisis was religious.
"If it is political why are churches being vandalized? Are churches political organizations?, he queried.
Meanwhile, a combined team of soldiers, policemen and other security agencies has been deployed in Bauchi to quell the violent crisis that broke out at the Yelwa area of the city.
The operation was coordinated by the state Commissioner of Police, Mr. Adanaya Talman-Gaya.