Violence in Dutse, Northern Nigeria, following Pope’s statement

At least ten churches were set alight and Christian homes and businesses were looted on Tuesday 19 September, during rioting in Dutse, the capital of Jigawa State in Northern Nigeria. The attacks are believed to have been a reaction to the reports of the Pope’s recent Regensburg address, though other rumours are also circulating.

Nigerian Church leaders had feared such an outbreak would result from the outcry which followed the Pope’s comments. When a rumour started circulating about a dispute between a Muslim man and a Christian woman in which each had insulted the other’s religion, local representatives of the Christian Association of Nigeria visited the local police station to warn them of a possible outbreak of violence. They asked for the police to deploy to forestall the violence, but the police did not respond.

Bishop Kwashi of Jos told Anglican Mainstream “Only about three churches out of about 15 are still standing in the town”. The Churches which were burnt down included St Peter’s Anglican Cathedral, Assemblies of God, three Evangelical Church of West Africa churches and Living Faith church. The Anglican Bishop, Rt Rev Yusufu Lumu, had to seek shelter in a local police station along with his wife and three children when his home was partially destroyed in the violence.

The violence started at 8.30 pm on Tuesday 19 September and only subsided late Wednesday evening. According to local sources, the police were not deployed until the violence had already subsided.

Christian Solidarity Worldwide Advocacy Director, Alexa Papadouris, says: “This latest episode of religious violence serves to highlight the underlying tension in the region. Despite the indications of violence in the area, the police failed to intervene to stop these attacks. We call upon the police authorities in Dutse to assist in restoring calm to the city and to ensure the safety and protection of all citizens at this time. We also call for the speedy compensation of churches and businesses destroyed during this violence.”