- Unknown Gunmen Kill Top Chief, wife in Kaduna
- High-Tension Cable Electrocutes One, Destroyed Houses.
From Our Correspondents Abdulazeez Kayode, Ilorin, Ibraheem Abdulazeez, Kaduna and Leonard Oru, Calabar
Fears and pandemonium gripped the residents of Taiwo Isale in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital as hoodlums disrupted the cross-over service of some churches and mosques at the early hours of Monday causing worshipers to run for their lives.
This came at the eve of the New Year where worshippers were praying to make their resolutions against the in-coming New Year.
In a press statement issued by the Kwara State Police Command signed by the by the Police Spokesperson Ajayi Okesanmi and copy made available to newsmen, confirming the incident, saying the attacks on worshippers left several injured, properties destroyed, noting that ten suspected hoodlums had been arrested.
He however urged mischief-makers to stay clear of the state or face the wrath of law. Okensanmi stated that, “We wish to assure the good people of Kwara state, of its capacity to deal decisively with anybody arrested, for being a part of the breakdown of law and order that was witnessed in Taiwo Isale area of Ilorin, by hoodlums early this morning, in spite the peace and harmony being enjoyed in the state before, during the yuletide and even now.”
Methodist Church Cathedral Ilorin
He disclosed that “At about 02:00am of Monday, some youths that were prevented from carrying out what was termed New year carnival by the community leaders of the area for fear of the process turning into a security threat, owing to previous years experiences.
“In protest to the denial, the youths resorted into throwing bangers indiscriminately at all gatherings in the vicinity including religious gatherings celebrating the new year cross -over services, three (3) persons were injured in the resulting stampede, both the Catholic, Methodist and other churches in the area, including a Muslim group called Quareeb team, holding their programme in an adjoining school were attacked, some vehicles belonging to both worshipers were damaged.
It is important to note, that the attack has no religious undertone. It is simple an unlawful act by the disgruntled youths of the area, as both the Christian and Muslim gatherings in the area were attacked.
one of the torched vehicles
The PPRO said “Ten (10) suspects have been arrested, the injured already taken to the hospital and are responding to treatment. Investigation into the matter has commenced.”
Okasanmi further said that the “Good people of Kwara are admonished to continue with their lawful endeavours and disregard the insinuation that the crisis was between the Muslim and Christian, as Kwara state is known for her harmonious relationship among all religious group”, the statement added.
In a related development, unknown gunmen have killed Chief of Numana, in Sanga local government area of Kaduna state, Dr. Gambo Makama and his wife. The couple were killed at their residence in the early hours of Monday, January 1.
The Local council chairman Abdulmumin Yakubu Ashafa confirmed the attack on late Makama’s residence as reasons for the attack were not yet clear
He said: “The Makama and his wife were attacked and killed at about 12:18am. The report said the reason for the attack was not yet clear at press time.”
Also in Calabar, Cross River state capital, a disaster struck on Sunday, December 31, as high-tension cable electrocuted one person and destroyed many houses.
Time Nigeria correspondent reports that the incident, which happened at about 7.30pm, was said to have injured two persons at No. 17 Umo Orok Lane in the Calabar-South axis of the metropolis
This is the third time in one year such incident is happening. In April 2017, eight persons died at a football viewing center in Calabar Municipality when a high-tension cable fell on the roof of center.