Five persons were feared dead, while scores of people sustained injuries, following Monday unrest in Kasuwan Magani in Kajuru Local Government Area of Kaduna State.

Kasuwan Magani is 36 kilometres away from Kaduna metropolis and it is a gateway to the southern part of the state, Plateau, Nasarawa and Benue states.

Worship places and shops were said to have been torched during the incident.

The cause of the public disturbance could not be immediately ascertained as at the time of filing this report, but it was learnt that some Christian youths allegedly beat up female adherents for dating Muslim men. It later degenerated into a crisis, a source said.

The source noted that swift deployment of combined armed police and military averted what probably would have resulted in religious crisis in the state.

Also, the Sole Administrator of the LG, Aminu Rabiu, said it was a disagreement between Muslim and Christian youths that led to the loss of lives, property and peace in the area.

“We have already evacuated the injured persons to the hospital and they are responding to treatment,” he added.

The police had confirmed that there was tension in Kasuwan Magani, about 30 kilometres away from the city centre; and that the number of deaths could not be immediately ascertained.

The State Public Relations Officer, Aliyu Mukhtar, said a detachment of policemen has been deployed to the area on the instructions of the State Commissioner of Police.

He also said that no arrest has been made, but noted that the cost of property damaged during the fracas had yet to be collated as at the time of filing this report.

Meanwhile, Governor Nasir el-Rufai has condemned the attack and vowed to have the perpetrators prosecuted.

El-Rufai, who spoke through his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Mr. Samuel Aruwan, directed the prosecution of all persons responsible for the mayhem.

El-Rufai said security agencies must investigate the incident, arrest and make available for prosecution the perpetrators.

He condemned the violence, and expressed regrets about the lives lost, just as he expressed sympathy for vitcims’ families.

“The government has directed the State Emergency Management Agency to take inventory of damages and provide relief materials with immediate effect.

“Security forces have been deployed to contain the situation, protect lives and properties and to prevent any further breakdown of law and order.

“The government urges all citizens and communities to reject violence and division, and uphold their neighbours in peace and harmony.”

PUNCH