The 31 Artillery Brigade of the Nigeria Army, Minna rose on Tuesday to quench the religious violence that claimed four lives in Rafi Local Government Area of Niger State.
Information reaching us indicated that the Army, Police and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps rose to the occasion to restore peace in the area.
It all began when one Methodus Emmanuel, a 24-year-old trader based in Padongari, was killed on Sunday by a mob over allegations of blasphemy.
Confirming the incidence to news men, the Assistant Director of Army Public Relations Officer, Major Njideka Agwu, said: “three other persons, including personnel of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps also lost their lives.
“Troops of the 31 Artillery Brigade of One Division, Nigeria Army, quickly intervened and restored law and order while a dusk-to-dawn curfew was imposed in the town.”
Agwu said that a religious house and a shop were burnt even as 25 other shops were looted following the violence.
She said that the hoodlums embarked on further violence on Monday morning, looting shops and blocking the Lagos-Kaduna Road, a major highway connecting the northern and southern parts of the country.
The spokesperson said the army had made some arrests in connection with the incident, adding that the suspects have been handed over to the police.
“The army and other security agencies have commenced confidence building patrols in all the nooks and crannies of the area toward restoring peace.
“As part of measures to de-escalate tension and ensure lasting peace in the town, the military is working with the local government council authorities and community leaders, including the Kagara Emirate Council, to pacify all aggrieved parties and build on the peace so far established.”
Agwu said the army would continue with its non-violent approach to maintaining peace in the area.
She, however, warned that the army would deal with any person attempting to promote violence in the community even as she enjoined members of the public to abide by the conditions of the curfew put in place in order to maintain peace. [myad]
