NIGERIA: KADUNA: CALM AFTER RELIGIOUS RIOTS

(26 Feb 2000) English/Nat Calm has returned to the streets of Kaduna following the religious riots which killed hundreds earlier this week. Both the Muslim and Christian communities must now count the cost of the death and destruction that exploded after the proposal to introduce Islamic law to the state. Several churches, cars and buildings were burned down in the violence which erupted on Monday morning during a demonstration by local Christians against a proposal to bring Islamic law, or Sharia, to Kaduna state. The clashes which continued into Tuesday caused the killing of more than 200 people in Kaduna. SOUNDBITE: (English) “So when I turned around, before I could have realised, I had a hit on my head by a very long knife. And they are telling me that I should say Allah Akbar (Arabic for God is greater), that I should confess. Am I Christian? I said I am a Christian, I should confess that Allah Akbar.“ SUPER CAPTION: Peter Tanto, survivor Although sporadic violence continued in outlying areas and in the neighbouring towns of Kafanchan and Zaria, an uneasy calm was restored as the Government imposed a curfew on the state. In his first comments since the clashes, Nigeria’s President called certain aspects of Islamic law unconstitutional, saying that practices like cutting off a thief’s hand or stoning an adulterer contravene Nigerian law. While refugees started trickling back into Kaduna on Friday, hundreds more crowded into the safety of army camps and hotel courtyards, or carried suitcases and buckets and bundles of clothes as they fled town. Christian and Muslim leaders have promised to work together to restore peace and were meeting in search of ways to prevent future violence. Find out more about AP Archive: Twitter: Facebook: ​​ Instagram: You can license this story through AP Archive: