The Bauchi State Police Command has confirmed that scores of residents were injured while about six houses and seven shops were burnt in the Katangan area of Warji Local Government Area of the state after a riot broke out over alleged blasphemy against Islam.

Naijacrawl had earlier reported that properties and houses in the area were on Friday evening destroyed by irate youths over alleged blasphemy.

According to reports, trouble started when unconfirmed reports circulated on social media that one of the Christian youths in the town allegedly blasphemed against Islam.

According to sources, the violent extremists then mobilised to attack an Evangelical Church of West Africa (ECWA) church before Christian youths mobilised and repelled them.

But the police, in a statement on Saturday issued by the Public Relations Officer, Ahmed Wakili, said the command had commenced an investigation into the incident.

Wakili explained that an unspecified number of residents were injured during the incident, but no life was lost.

According to him, the Bauchi State Commissioner of Police, Umar Mamman Sanda, had deployed “all Tactical Teams, Mobile Police Force and Rapid Response Squad (RRS), whose joint efforts brought the situation under control.

“The area is calm for now, while visibility patrols are ongoing to keep the peace."

He said, “Some irate youths set six (6) houses and seven (7) shops ablaze, while some scores of people were injured as a result of a blasphemous message posted on social media by one Rhoda Jatau (female) 40 years old, a staff of the Medical Department, Warji Local Government.

“The Commissioner of Police appeals to the general public to be calm and go about their lawful businesses without any fear of intimidation as normalcy has been restored in the affected area."

While assuring the general public that the police are on top of the situation and will continue to update the public as to the level of investigation from time to time, the command would like to use this medium to reiterate the need for parents and guardians to maintain strict vigilance over the activities of their wards, particularly youths.

“The Commissioner of Police also urges religious leaders, community leaders, and elders generally to always speak to the youths to desist from anything that could tamper with the security of their areas.”