Clashes erupted in the Kabala West Nariya and Ungwan Muazu communities and almost degenerated into a religious crisis between Christians and Muslims but for the timely intervention of security operatives.

However, several persons were injured and unconfirmed reports have it that three persons were killed.

According to a resident in the area who spoke to journalists on the condition of anonymity, three bodies were discovered in the area and as early as 5 am on Monday, some gangs had gathered and started attacking people of different faith.

“Kaduna is a very funny state, I live in this area and we all live together, Muslims and Christians,” he said.

“But easily a small fight between friends can escalate to become a religious fight.

“Christian youth are attacking Muslims where they are more, and Muslims doing so in areas they are more.

“Many travelers could not pass through the Eastern Bypass especially those going to Abuja and coming to pass through Kaduna to even airport,” he said.

Similarly, a local chief, Abdulazeez Salisu, told newsmen that the violence was triggered after some traders at Kabala West were attacked on their way back to their residents at Ungwan Muazu.

He said: “I was alerted late Sunday night on phone. We tried to reach the authorities concerned to alert them of the incident.

“The Kabala West community leaders know those culprits. No action was taken against them; that’s why we have a fallout of the unrest today.

“But, we are satisfied with the action taken by law enforcement agents.”

“We were told that three people were killed, but, we cannot ascertain the death until after investigation later in the day.”

Bello Dantsoho, acting district head of Ungwan Muazu, urged the residents to remain calm as the situation was already being taken care of by the police.

He said though some bodies were recovered in the area on Saturday and Sunday, “no life was lost in today’s (Monday) unrest as far as we know, except for injuries when some youths tried to take advantage of what happened.”

“But, everything is under control now, the police and the army are doing their best to restore law and order and we are satisfied with their efforts,” he said.

In his own narrative, the village head of Kabala West, Mohammed Lawal, said: “What happened was that a body of a 20-year-old youth was discovered inside a Christian cemetery in Kabala West.

“Instead of the people to allow the law enforcement to investigate, they went about destroying mosques which aggravated the issue.

“This morning again, we woke up to discover a body allegedly killed last night,” he said.

Spokesman for Governor Nasir El-Rufai of Kaduna State, Samuel Aruwan, also confirmed that calm has been restored to the areas.

“The situation in Kabala West, Kaduna South Local Government Area is under control. Security operatives are on ground,” he said.