Posted on: 01:44 Tue, 31 May 2016



Four persons have been killed in
Pandogari, Rafi local government area
of Niger state following the outbreak
of religious violence in the area over
blasphemous comments about Prophet
Mohammed on social media.

According to the statement issued
by Major NC Agwu, the Assistant
Director, Army Public Relations, a
church, house and shop were burnt
while 25 others were looted during
the incident on Sunday, May 29,
2016.

The statement reads: “At about 6pm
on Sunday, 29 May 2016, one Mr.
Methodus Chimaije Emmanuel, a 24
year old trader based in Pandogari,
Rafi LGA of Niger State was
attacked and killed by a mob in the
town on allegation of posting a
blasphemous statement about
Prophet Muhammad on the social
media.

“Regrettably, one church, one house
and a shop were burnt while 25
other shops were looted following
the violence. Three other persons
including personnel of the NSCDC
also lost their lives.

“Troops of 31 Artillery Brigade of 1
Division, Nigerian Army on
operation MESA quickly intervened
and restored law and order while a
dusk to dawn curfew was imposed
in the town.

“Some arrests have been made in
connection with the violence and
the suspects handed over to the
police. The military and other
security agencies are currently
embarking on confidence building
patrols in all nooks and crannies of
the town.

“Early Monday morning however,
the rioters embarked on further
violence, looting shops and
blocking the Lagos – Kaduna Road,
a major artery connecting the
northern and southern parts of the
country.

“Again, troops in conjunction with
the personnel of Nigeria Police and
Nigeria Security and Civil Defence
Corps (NSCDC) took control of the
situation to forestall escalation of
violence and any threat to the
peace in the town.”

He stated that 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.

He urged residents to go about
their daily activities without fear of
intimidation abide by the
conditions of the curfew.