KANO – Christian youths burnt a mosque in Nigeria’s north early Tuesday after deadly rioting that followed presidential elections, prompting Muslims to destroy shops in response, residents said.
The reprisal attacks occurred in Nigeria’s main northern city of Kano, where an unspecified number of people were killed the previous day as post-election rioting spread to some 14 states over President Goodluck Jonathan’s election win.
Kano police spokesman Magaji Majia confirmed “reports of an incident in Tudun Wada (neighbourhood), but the situation has been contained.”
He said he was on his way to meet with local traditional chiefs and the imam in the area, adding that the city was now enforcing a 24-hour curfew.
A resident said Christian youths who had taken refuge in a police barracks the previous day left and crossed into a Muslim area of the city, where the mosque and two trucks were set alight.
“Muslim youths in the area were attracted by the smoke coming from the mosque and trucks,” resident Ya’u Mohammed said.
“In retaliation, the Muslim youths vandalised and looted dozens of corner shops attached to the barracks largely owned by Christians. Soldiers were drafted and many people were arrested.”
Jonathan was declared winner on Monday of presidential elections in a landmark vote that exposed regional tensions and led to the deadly rioting that displaced an estimated 15,000 people.
His main opponent, ex-military ruler Muhammadu Buhari, drew most of his support from the north, while Jonathan performed most strongly in his native south.
Nigeria is roughly split between a mainly Muslim north and predominately Christian south.
