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gave a free rein to the Muslims—the Hausas—and they kept burning until they burned the way they
wanted.” 383 The soldiers returned later in the morning, residents said, and shot and killed some of
the youth, before ending the violence. 384
A Human Rights Watch researcher visited Kafanchan on April 24—five days after the violence—and
in May and November 2011. Large sections of the central part of the town were burned, including
the main central market, which primarily housed the shops of Igbo traders, as well as Hausa-
Fulani and Yoruba merchants, located across from a burned-out mosque, used predominately by
Yoruba Muslims. In other neighborhoods, Christian churches and homes were burned.
Most of the witnesses interviewed by Human Rights Watch said they fled their homes when the
violence started during the night and were unable to identify specific individuals who had burned
their property or killed people in the town. After the violence, a police official from Abuja came and
informed the leaders that the police would take complaints from witnesses who could identify who
carried out the violence. 385
The Destruction of Matsirga
Matsirga is a small town located along the main road between Zonkwa and Kafanchan. 386 The town
is predominately Hausa-Fulani, while the surrounding area is dominated by Christian indigene
groups, including Bajju. Muslim witnesses allege that about 7 p.m. on April 18, Bajju men began
setting up roadblocks on roads leading into Matsirga. Later that night, witnesses allege, the men
attacked the Hausa-Fulani residents and burned their houses and properties. The violence
continued through the night and into the next day, as roving bands of armed men hunted down
and killed Hausa-Fulani men and boys found hiding in the town and surrounding countryside.
Muslim leaders submitted a report to the government commissions of inquiry listing the names of
71 Muslims killed in the attack—63 men and 8 boys. 387 They also reported that 143 houses, 8
mosques, 15 shops, 13 vehicles, and 65 motorcycles were burned. 388
383 Human Rights Watch interview with a resident from Kafanchan, November 19, 2011.
384 Human Rights Watch interviews with Kafanchan residents, November 2011.
385 Human Rights Watch interview with Ilyasu Musa Kalla, JNI secretary, Jema’a local government area, Kafanchan, November 19, 2011.
386 The town is located on the southern boundary of Zangon Kataf local government area, and southern settlements in Matsirga extend
into Jema’a local government area.
387 “Memorandum Submitted to the Judicial Commission of Enquiry on 2011 Post Election Violence and Civil Disturbance, By Matsirga
Muslim Community of Zangon Kataf Local Government Area of Kaduna State,” May 29, 2011, p. 7 and Appendix I. The memorandum
stated that 74 Muslims were killed in Matsirga, while Appendix I listed the names of 71 persons. The list of names was numbered to 72
but was missing number 56. In addition, the memorandum stated that seven Muslims were still missing at the time the memorandum
105 HUMAN RIGHTS WATCH | DECEMBER 2013