ICC Note: A 24 year-old Christian man in Pandogari, Niger State was killed by a mob after violence broke out throughout the town. The man, Methodus Chimaije Emmanuel, was claimed to have posted blasphemous comments about the prophet Mohammad on social media, sparking outrage and violence in the people of the village that then murdered him. The violence continued as the mob looted 25 shops, burned a shop and burned a church before the Nigerian Army restored order. The Army has now put a curfew into effect from dawn to dusk in the town in an attempt to prevent any further violence. The Nigerian Army has made efforts to keep the peace in situations of violence that arise, such as this one, though they are unable to prevent violence from taking place.

By Kingsley Omonobi

05/31/16, Pandogari, Niger (AllAfrica) – Following the outbreak of religious violence in Pandogari, Rafi local government area of Niger state and the killing of a Christian, over alleged blasphemous comments about Prophet Mohammed on the social media, the Nigerian Army has imposed a dusk to dawn curfew in the town.

A statement signed by Major NC Agwu, Assistant Director, Army Public Relations, said the curfew came into effect as rioters embarked on violence, looting shops and blocking the Lagos – Kaduna Road, a major artery connecting the northern and southern parts of the country.

“Regrettably, one church, one house and a shop were burnt while 25 other shops were looted following the violence. Three other persons including personnel of the NSCDC also lost their lives” it said.

Continuing it said, “Some arrests have been made in connection with the violence and the suspects handed over to the police. The military and other security agencies are currently embarking on confidence building patrols in all nooks and crannies of the town”.

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