The Nigerian government has deployed a special police force to Kaduna State following the killing of 55 people since Thursday last week.
This comes just a day after the Kaduna state government imposed a 24 hour curfew in an effort of restoring clam in the northern state.
Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari through a post on Twitter condemned the killings adding that the Special Intervention Force would be deployed to flash points.
“The disregard for the sanctity of human life is unacceptable. Violence is an ill-wind that blows nobody any good. I appeal to community leaders and citizens to always choose dialogue, patience and tolerance, to prevent crises from escalating into violence,” President Buhari said.
The disregard for the sanctity of human life is unacceptable. Violence is an ill-wind that blows nobody any good. I appeal to community leaders and citizens to always choose dialogue, patience and tolerance, to prevent crises from escalating into violence.
— Muhammadu Buhari (@MBuhari) October 21, 2018
Reuters reports that the violence in the state capital follows clashes between two communities in the Kasuwan Magani area of southern Kaduna which left 55 dead.
Police said the special force will carry out stop and search patrols, raid suspected criminal hideouts and make arrests in areas that have been flashpoints or considered to be at risk of violence.
Buhari said the government would coordinate its works in the region with that of the Kaduna State Government to enhance security.
“The Federal Government and its law enforcement agencies will work with the State Government and community leaders to ensure the full restoration of peace and security,” he said in his Twitter post.
Clashes along ethnic lines have plagued southern Kaduna in the last few years. Last year troops and additional police officers were deployed to the state in response to an outbreak of violence.
