Blasphemy: Six houses, seven shops burnt in Bauchi violent protest

The police have confirmed that many people were injured, six houses and seven shops raze during a crisis on Friday in Bauchi State over alleged blasphemy.

Crisis had erupted in Warji Local Government Area of the state after some youths reportedly launched a manhunt for Rhoda Jatau, a lady who allegedly committed blasphemy.

An eyewitness said angry youths who were in search of Jatau invaded Katanga, headquarters of Warji Local Government Area, on Friday.

Some residents were said to have whisked Jatau to safety, which angered the youths, leading to the destruction of some properties, including 11 building which were set ablaze.

Religious clerics in the area told journalists that they were working hard to calm the youths.

The state Commissioner of Police, CP Umar Mamman Sanda, deployed his men in the area and ordered investigation into the incident.

Giving an account of the incident, Police Public Relations Officer, SP Mohammed Ahmed Wakil, said, “On 20th May, 2022 Some irate youths set six (6) houses and seven (7) shops ablaze, while some score of persons were injured as a result of a blasphemous message posted on a social media by one Rhoda Jatau (female) 40 years old, a staff member of the Medical Department, Warji Local Government.

“The police have since deployed all Tactical Teams, Mobile Police Force and Rapid Response Squad (RRS) whose joint efforts brought the situation under control. The area is calm for now, while visibility patrols are ongoing to keep the peace.”

The police appealed to the general public to be calm and go about their lawful business without any fear of intimidation as normalcy has been restored in the affected area.

The incident occurred a week after a student of Shehu Shagari College of Education, Sokoto, Deborah Samuel, was killed over alleged blasphemy.