A riot was sparked off by irate Islamic fundamentalist in Bauch State, on Saturday, over an alleged blasphemy by one Mrs Roda Jatau, who was said to have shared a video in a WhatsApp group in which a convert ‘insulted’ the Prophet of Islam.
The crisis was said to have started in Katangan area of Warji Local Government Area of Bauchi State as irate youths and hoodlums reportedly burnt houses, Churches and injured a pastor over another case of alleged blasphemy.
The Network gathered that the violence started when a message went viral on social media that a Christian girl in the town allegedly blasphemed Islam while reacting to the Sokoto incident.
Eyewitness disclosed that the aggrieved Muslim youths immidiately seeing the alleged message, went on a search for the lady immediately after Jummaat prayers, but could not find her because she had been whisked away to safety.
The Muslim youths destroyed properties belonging to Christians in the area and set few buildings on fire. It was learned that a number of Christians including a pastor of ECWA church were said to have been injured.
Meanwhile, a Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) leader in the state disclosed that he had informed the Commissioner of Police and a Senior Special Assistant to Governor Bala Mohammed of the development.
According to him, the Christian community in the state will not allow the situation to escalate, and urged them to remain calm and peaceful.
The Bauchi State Police Public Relations Officer, Ahmed Wakili, is yet to make official statement.
According to a source, the alleged woman, Mrs Jatau is an employee of the Bauchi State Primary Health Care, who is originally from Gombe, but married in Warji Local Government Area.
