A mob razed two mosques and
destroyed many shops in Nsukka, a town in Enugu state, during the weekend.
It was gathered that the incident sparked tension in the town which has been without crisis for a long time.
Trouble started brewing on
Saturday when a tricyclist conveyed a businesswoman simply identified as Aisha
to her shop around Barracks road in Nsukka.
The woman was said to have
refused to pay the rider the agreed transport fare of N750, leading to an
argument between the duo.
Witnesses said the woman
subsequently called her brothers who arrived the scene and allegedly stabbed
the tricyclist identified as Kelechi.
The development angered irate
youth who vowed to “avenge” the beating of Kelechi already rushed to the
hospital for treatment.
The mob immediately blocked major
roads and began to destroy businesses belonging to their targets in the area.
They also proceeded to destroy
two mosques, one for daily congregational prayers located not far from the
University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), while the second is the town’s central
mosque.
The state or area police area command in Nsukka could not immediately be reached amid reports that many of the Muslims in the town ran to nearby police stations for safety.
Muhammad Yusuf, a Muslim leader
in the area, told BBC Hausa that “most of us northerners are now in hiding in
police custody, while many have already travelled to their states.”
“Most shops belonging to our
people including mine have been burgled and our wares carted away. Many have
been wounded though none is reported dead so far,” he was quoted as saying.
“In fact, more than 90% of Hausas
have emigrated, the few of us are now hiding in police custody.”
In a statement, the Catholic
diocese of Nsukka appealed to “all the sides in this agitated situation to
remain calm but vigilant.”
Shehu Sani, a former senator from
Kaduna, said the attacks “represent a serious threat to peace and stability of
the country and a grand attempt to incinerate the country.”
“This act of provocation,
incitement and arson must be openly and unambiguously condemned by all patriots
and lovers of peace,” Sani said via a statement
“The perpetrators of the hideous
and heinous act must be brought to book and the State Government must ensure
the mosque is rebuilt.”
Why should I post a comment when you always refuse to publish it. Continue your hypocritical journalism. We are watching and taking note. We are not foolish. But if you like remind those arsonists that there are more Igbo shops in the North than Hausa shops in Igboland.
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