Police confirm 1 dead, 2 injured in Islamic sects’ clash

The Niger State Police Command yesterday confirmed the death of one person in a clash between two Islamic sects in Munya local government area.

The command also confirmed that two people, including a police officer, sustained serious injuries and were receiving medical attention in a private hospital in Sarkin Pawa, the headquarters of the government area.

The command’s Public Relation Officer, ASP Mohammed Abubakar DanIna, told Daily Trust on phone that 28 people were arrested as a result of the fracas.

He said the injured officer received machete cut when he and other colleagues were trying to stop the crisis from escalating.

Our local correspondent gathered that the clash broke out between the Darikah and Izala Islamic sects over the timing for the observance of the Jumat prayer and decision of the Izala to have a separate prayer ground in the community.

Residents said one of the sects was against the decision of the other saying the congregational prayer at 12.30 pm and tried to stop the members of the other sect from saying the prayer that time.

The ensuing disagreement was said to have led to the use of dangerous weapons.

The member of the House of Assembly from the area, Mr Paul John Bahago and the Commissioner nominee from the area, Alhaji Danjuma Salau, who were in the area to meet with the injured and assess the situation, urged the people to learn to live together in peace.