Kaduna — After several days of anxiety of possible out break of crisis, the implementation of the Islamic Legal Code (Sharia) took effect in Kaduna yesterday, without any hitches.

Although there was no formal launch of the sharia regime, a number of traders and residents of Kaduna had stayed at home following insinuations that the inception of the sharia code would engender another wave of conflict.

But government yesterday dismissed the fears as unfounded assuring residents that it had taken adequate measures to ensure a reign of peace.

Traffic on the usually busy Ahmadu Bello Way was unusually light yesterday morning but life gradually returned to the city shortly after the Friday Jumat prayers.

Governor Ahmed Mohammed Makarfi had last week re-affirmed the decision of government to introduce a set of judicial reforms part of which led to the establishment of sharia and customary courts in the state.

Under the reforms, the sharia law will be in force in parts of the state, including parts of Kaduna, the capital.

Local governments are also expected to make by-laws to reflect the peculiar needs of communities in their areas.

The special adviser to the governor on media and publicity, Mallam Muktar Sirajo, told THISDAY yesterday that in introducing the judicial reforms, government merely fulfilled the aspirations and desires of the Kaduna people.

According to him, "nothing is going to happen, government is alive to its responsibilities.

"The people have been given what they demanded, non-Muslims have the customary courts while Muslims have the sharia courts.

"Government has consistently said that a Muslim cannot be tried in the customary court and a christian cannot be tried in the sharia court.

"Government arrived at these reforms in consultation and dialogue with religious and community leaders throughout the state.

"Government believes it has taken care of the yearnings and aspirations of the diverse communities in Kaduna State."

A wave of religious violence had engulfed Kaduna metropolis and environs in February 2000 as sections of Muslims and Christians clashed over the issue of sharia.