Authorities in Kaduna set up commission of enquiry

The state authorities have set up a judicial commission of enquiry made up of Muslims and Christians to investigate reasons for several days of violence in Kaduna this week, news organisations reported.

Acting Governor Stephen Shakari, inaugurating the five-member commission on Thursday, said that the judicial panel had been put in place "to investigate the unfortunate act, with a view to bringing to book for appropriate action those responsible for such acts", 'The Guardian' quoted him as saying.

The panel will be responsible for investigating the causes of the
violence, identifying individuals and organisations that might have contributed to the riot, and assessing the loss of lives and damage to property. It will then recommend appropriate legal action against those responsible and advise the government on measures to be taken to avoid similar disturbances in the future, 'The Guardian' reported.

Violent clashes between Muslims and Christians erupted on Monday following a march organised by the Christian Association of Nigeria in opposition to the proposed introduction of Islamic Sharia law in Kaduna State.

Meanwhile the authorities have started to clean up the streets of Kaduna following the violence, news reports said on Thursday. Decomposing bodies lying in the roads are now being cleared away and burned out cars are also being removed, eyewitnesses told IRIN. Although no official death toll
has been released, a member of the House of Representatives said on Wednesday that over 100 people had died while human rights organisations based in Kaduna estimate that 300-400 people may have been killed. Police and troops were also under orders to keep security tight around mosques ahead of Friday prayers, news reports said.