The Kaduna State Police Command has dispelled rumours of a planned Jihad against Christians in the North, which is being widely circulated through text messages. The Commissioner of Police, Alhaji Ballah Magaji Nasarawa at a news conference Friday, said the rumours were the handywork of mischief makers and warned those behind it to desist from spreading such "false hood." He said anybody caught spreading such rumour "which is capable of aggravating the security situation in the state" would be dealt with according to the law. The text message, which was being circulated reads: "Please instruct your ministers and all Christians you know in the North to be watchful. Northern Muslims are planning a Jihad, total massacre of our brethren in the north from midnight tomorrow Friday. Rebroadcast please." According to the Commissioner, "the attention of the Kaduna State Police Command has been drawn to numerous misleading, misguided and mischievous text messages being circulated by faceless elements insinuating that Muslims are planning a jihad in Kaduna. "These messages are unfounded, baseless and therefore members of the public are advised to disregard such rumours and messages, which are emanating from mischief makers and criminal elements." Friday, many residents of Kaduna, in spite of the review of the 24-hour curfew from 8am to 5pm restricted their activities to their immediate environments for fear of the unknown. Some mosques within the city centre were said to have conducted their Friday Prayers before the normal 1:30pm. However in areas like Kakuri, Sabo, Barnawa, Television, Nasarawa, Romi and the surrounding suburbs, activities were picking up as residents were seen going about their normal businesses.