Curfew imposed on Ibbi town after religious clashes

Following the killing of a Muslim in a fresh clash that erupted between the Christians and Muslims on Sunday in Ibbi town,Northeast of Taraba state, not less than four other people have been killed, forcing the state government to impose a dusk-to-dawn curfew on Sunday.

The state spokesperson, Emmanuel Bello, confirmed that authorities have sent some troops to the area and have been instructed to shoot anyone who disregards the ban on movement.

He said, “The state government has declared a 6:00pm to 6:00am curfew in Ibbi starting from today.”

“Security personnel deployed in the town have been directed to shoot anybody that defies the curfew especially those bent on breaching the peace. This security measure is necessary in the government’s effort to restore normalcy in the area,” he added.

An eye witness, Baffayo Ahmad said the violence started when Christians rejected requests to remove a roadblock put up to protect their churches during the Sunday service as a response to church attacks in other parts of the country.

He added that many Muslim and Christian homes and shops were burnt.

Christians were reported to have set up a roadblock following rumours that a church was going to be attacked by the radical islamic sect known as Boko Haram.

Police spokesman Amos Olaoye confirmed that one person was killed, but quickly added that the total death tolls could not be immediately verified because residents are beginning to give different figures regarding the casualties figure.

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