Confusion, stampede in Jos as Muslim youths protest alleged blasphemy

Some parts of Jos were engulfed in confusion Friday afternoon after some Muslim youths took to the streets to protest an American film said to have portrayed Prophet Mohammed in bad light.

What started as a peaceful protest by the youths bearing placards, turned to chaos and confusion when soldiers fired gun shots into the air, ostensibly to disperse the youths.
A News Agency of Nigeria correspondent, who witnessed the protest, reports that there was confusion in the city centre as traders, students, and other people ran to areas considered safe.
The confusion resulted in vehicles and pedestrians running into each other, while traders, offices and banks were hurriedly shut down.
The development also caused a major traffic snarl, with unconfirmed rumours that violence had erupted in some areas.
NAN, however, observed that more security men were deployed to sensitive areas, especially churches around the city centre.
Also heavily guarded were eating joints, PHCN offices and banks.
Media Officer of the Special Task Force, Capt. Salisu Mustapha, who spoke on the development, wondered why the confusion erupted as the protests were supposed to be peaceful.
“We met with Muslim leaders and urged them not to allow the protests to take place in view of the security situation.
‘This afternoon, they started what we felt was peaceful, but I am hearing something different. In fact, I am rushing to the area to see things for myself, but my colleagues are already there.
“But generally, I think there is no casualty. Troops have been stationed there and are merely shooting in the air to scare away the youths, but nothing ugly happened,” he said.
Mustapha said he was particularly surprised at the protests because he worshipped at the Jos Central Mosque, where the preachers cautioned against any protest.
“I think most of the protesters must be people that did not even go to the Mosque; people whose main concern is to cause confusion and make trouble,” he said.
In Katsina, hundreds of Muslims on Friday staged a peaceful demonstration to express their anger over a film they considered blasphemous of the Prophet Mohammed.
NAN reports that the demonstrators started their protest at Sabon Layi Area of the metropolis at 9.30a.m and moved peacefully through Gwangwan Area to Kangiwa Square.
The demonstrators were seen carrying placards with assorted inscriptions such as ‘Death to Amerians,” “May Allah Almighty punish whoever tarnished the image of our Prophet,” and “To hell with the attackers of Islam’ among others.”
During the demonstration, which lasted for over two hours, many Muslims in procession were seen chanting various slogans condemning the U.S. for their act, while others were only reciting verses of the Holy Quran.
In his address, Malam Usman Mohammed, who led the demonstrators said, “Our action is to express our anger over the blasphemous movie produced in American.
“The personality of Prophet Muhammad (SAW), which is above every Muslim is attacked, and whoever attacks the Prophet will face the consequences.”
Mohammed prayed Allah to punish those involved in the production of that movie.
When contacted, the Deputy Police Public Relation Officer, Mr. Shehu Koko, who confirmed the demonstration, said it was peaceful.
The demonstrators were accompanied by the police to ensure that the protest was peaceful.