Security agencies in Kaduna have arrested 18 persons suspected to have been involved in the unrest in Kabala West and Ungwan Muazu.

Calm has returned to Kaduna after clashes early Monday left many injured.

One witness said three people were killed, but that could not be confirmed.

Witnesses said the clashes took place in the Kabala West Nariya and Muazu communities, and almost degenerated into a religious crisis between Christians and Muslims.

A Kaduna State Government statement on Monday, said that security agencies arrested the hoodlums around the two communities following reports of threats to law and order. Security patrols in the areas continue.

Samuel Aruwan, spokesperson to Governor Nasir El-Rufai while confirming the arrests in a statement said the suspects will be charged to court as soon as investigations were concluded.

He said government also dismissed stories making the round on social media that the crisis had spread to other parts of Kaduna town leading to the killing of a few person and several others injured.

“The government,” according to the statement, “further warned those peddling false stories to desist.

“Similarly, the state government has sent a high powered delegation to mediate between Kabala West and Ungwan Mu’azu communities.

“The delegation was led by Acting Secretary to the State Government, Abdullahi Ibrahim Sani, the Special Adviser on Internal Security and Samuel Aruwan, Special Assistant Media and Publicity.”

Mr. Aruwan said the delegation met with the leaderships of Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Jama’atu Nasril Islam (JNI), youth leaders, security agencies and traditional rulers of the two communities.

He said at the end of the meeting, the two sides unanimously agreed that all those responsible for the unrest should be fished out and brought to justice.

“The delegation also commended all residents of the communities that collaborated with security agencies in containing the unrest that could have degenerated beyond the two communities.

“The meeting resolved that all communities will be proactive in reporting any suspicious movements or activities to security agencies, and that it is illegal to resort to self-help or any act that amounts to taking the law into their hands,” Aruwan added.

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