08.03.2006 - Source: US Department of State

Government continues detaining an imam from the Kaduna central Mosque ("Country Report on Human Rights Practices 2005") [#46036],  [ID 17281]

"The government continued to hold an imam from the Kaduna central Mosque detained in 2003, despite an order from the Kaduna State court ordering his release."

Document(s): Open document

10.2003 - Source: UK Home Office

Kaduna State: Religious riots in Kaduna ("Country Report - October 2003") [#17332],  [ID 15092]

"6.24 Violent riots broke out on 21 and 22 February 2000 in Kaduna, following a demonstration by the Christian community against the imposition of the Shari'a penal code in Kaduna State. It is not clear who started the violence, but the situation quickly deteriorated into serious violence with Christians and Muslims burning each other's properties, businesses and places of worship. Hundreds of people were reported to have been killed during this violence. Retaliatory violence against Muslim communities broke out in Abia, Imo and Akwa Ibom States when some of the bodies of the Kaduna victims were returned to their home states. Over four hundred people were killed. There was further rioting in Kaduna in May 2000, but it is not reported to have been linked to religion.

6.25 Following the Kaduna riots in February 2000, President Obasanjo called a crisis meeting of the National Council of States, a body which includes the President, Vice-President, former Heads of State and the governors of all the states. In August 2002, both the Muslim and the Christian community in Kaduna signed a declaration to refrain from violence. The introduction of a form of Shari'a that addressed the concerns of both communities was cited as a reason for progress in achieving this agreement and building trust."

Document(s): Open document

26.08.2002 - Source: World Organisation Against Torture

Kaduna State: Sharia controversy led to mass killings in 2000 ("Hope Betrayed ? A Report on Impunity and State Sponsored Violence in Nigeria") [#8522],  [ID 15100]

"Amidst this controversy, the embrace of Shariah moved to Kaduna State, indicating a movement from states with clear Muslim predominance like Zamfara, Niger and Kano, to places with relatively strong Christian populations, like Kaduna. In December 1999, the Kaduna State House of Assembly constituted an 11-person committee to examine the applicability of Shariah criminal law in Kaduna State. This singular action polarised the House of Assembly across religious lines. The Christian members of the House of Assembly argued that the motion was not properly passed, and accused the Muslim members of having a hidden agenda. The Committee in fact comprised only Muslims. The Muslims, in turn, argued that Shariah is purely a Muslim affair that had nothing to do with Christians. They also maintained that there was nothing wrong with the way the motion was passed, pointing out that two Christian members nominated to participate in the committee declined their nominations.[…]
The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Kaduna State branch protested to the House on the issue. They expressed their fears concerning what they perceived as an attempt to “Islamise Kaduna State” and the possibility of such action generating crisis in Kaduna. While the Christians continued to protest, the Muslims were strongly behind the State Assembly, using every opportunity to express their solidarity with the House.
Both Muslims and Christians used their worship centres to pass commentaries on Shariah. While this was going on, the Kaduna State government constituted an inter-religious committee consisting of equal numbers of Muslim and Christian leaders, all in an attempt to calm the political temperature. After the public hearing of the committee of the State House of Assembly, CAN Kaduna Branch, organised a public protest against what they called the “planned introduction of Shariah in the state.” The peaceful protest later turned violent and led to mass killings of people. While this crisis was under investigation, another one broke out between May 22 and 23, 2000. […]
A majority of our respondents attributed the crisis to the long socio-political rivalry and acrimony between the Hausa-Fulani majority in Kaduna State and the significant but minority Christians. Others believe that the “planned introduction” of Shariah in the state was the main cause of the crises."

Document(s): Open document
omct-cleenNigeriareport0802.pdf

06.11.2001 - Source: Integrated Regional Information Network

Several arrested following religious clashes in the northern state of Kaduna in which at least 10 people died ("Nigeria: Many arrested in connection with Kaduna clashes") [#4530],  [ID 15108]

"Several people have been arrested in Nigeria following last weekend's clashes in the northern state of Kaduna in which at least 10 people died, news reports said. Nigerian state radio reported on Monday that police in Kaduna had arrested 18 suspects in connection with the disturbances. BBC reported that the detainees included a local chief and the chairman of a local government council."

Document(s): Open document

17.10.2001 - Source: Integrated Regional Information Network

Several killed during the clashes over the introduction of Sharia law ("Nigeria: Police arrest 286, charge 150 for riots") [#4326],  [ID 15109]

"Several people have been killed in clashes in northern Nigeria’s Kaduna State amid tension over the introduction on Friday of a new legal system under which Sharia - Islamic law - would coexist with canon law. Violence on Friday and Saturday in the town of Gwantu claimed at least 10 lives, a police source told IRIN by phone from the state capital, Kaduna. Scores of people, mainly Muslims, fled predominantly Christian Gwantu for Kaduna, 20km away. The source said the trouble in Gwantu had not been sparked by religious differences but by an attempt to relocate the headquarters of a local government council. The violence is said to have erupted when Muslim Hausa-speakers, whose neighbourhoods are near the council's headquarters, opposed the move."

Document(s): Open document