Panel Set To Probe Bloody Sectarian Violence

Panel Set To Probe Bloody Sectarian Violence
February 25, 2000 

Paul Ejime
PANA Correspondent 

LAGOS, Nigeria (PANA) - Beleaguered authorities in Nigeria's northern state of Kaduna, wracked by three days of religious violence, have set a panel to probe the crisis, which has officially killed more than 200 people.

Deputy governor Stephen Shekari gave an estimate of some 230 dead, with unspecified number of others injured in the mayhem that erupted Monday and left the state capital and its environs in turmoil.

The clashes between Christians and Moslems, over the planned introduction of the Islamic Sharia law in the state, has forced the deployment of troops and police reinforcement to the troubled area, which is still under restricted movement, with the security personnel under instruction to shoot trouble makers on sight.

Latest reports said the initial round-the-clock curfew has now been relaxed with movement restriction now between 4 PM and 7 AM (1600 and 1900 GMT).

State officials continue to reassure traumatised citizens, some of whom only managed to venture out of hiding for the first time Thursday to replenish their depleting food stocks.

Government workers also Thursday began clearing the streets of burnt out vehicles and charred bodies, as schools and most businesses remained closed. 

Shekari inaugurated the five-member probe panel headed by Justice Ja'afaru Dalhatu, reiterating that the state government had not taken a final decision on Sharia.

The panel is to investigate the cause of the violence with a view to bringing the offenders to book, as the incident had claimed many lives as well as caused wanton destruction of property.

It is to submit its report within two weeks.

Meanwhile, the Nigerian press Friday reported the apparent spread of tension to neighbouring towns of Kano and Maiduguri, where some panic-stricken residents fled to army barracks for refuge, and schools and businesses were forced to close temporarily.

No clashes were, however, reported but authorities in the areas were said to have stepped up security to stem possible violence.

Observers say the full extent of the Sharia-instigated damage may take some time to be realised, as Nigerians anxiously await the legal interpretation of the Islamic system, introduced amid controversy in October by the northern state of Zamfara, in the multi-religious nation, which is secular by constitution. 





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