One killed, 5 churches burnt in Bauchi communal clash

Ishola Michael, Bauchi - 05.02.2008

BAUCHI State Police Command has confirmed one person dead and 44 arrested in connection with last Saturday’s civil disturbances in Yana, the headquarters of Shira Local Government Area of Bauchi State, just as normalcy has started returning to the town.

Addressing newsmen in his office on Monday, the state Police Commissioner, Adanaya Talman-Gaya, also said five people were wounded and were currently receiving treatment at the Yana General Hospital while some had been treated and discharged.

Talman-Gaya added that five churches, a police station and police barracks as well as houses where policemen were living were razed by those he described as rioters.

He also said two shops belonging to non-native resident in the town were looted and burnt by the rioters who he said “capitalised on a simple love affair between two lovers to wreak havoc on innocent people of both Islamic and Christian faiths.”

He, however, commen-ded traditional and religious leaders in the area for their cooperation which he said had assisted the police in its investigation on the matter.

“It has nothing to do with religion at all, it was a mere misunderstanding between two lovers, the lady a Christian and the man a Muslim over their love affairs,” he said.

Talman-Gaya also commended the state governor, Malam Isa Yuguda, and the Emir of Katagum, Alhaji Mohammed Kabir Umar, for their prompt actions through timely visits to the town which he said helped in defussing tension in the area.