8 injured as youths attack traditional ruler in Kwali

Eight persons sustained injuries, following a clash between some Gbagyi and Hausa youths on Friday afternoon in Kwali Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). A witness simply identified as Mukaila, said the incident occurred at about 2: pm when Muslim residents were about to observe Juma’at prayers at the central mosque in the area.

He said trouble started when the Etsu of Kwali, Alhaji Shaban Audu Nizazo, was on his way to the mosque for Juma’at prayers, and a man riding a motorcycle obstructed the convoy of the traditional ruler.

He said the action prompted security operatives in the convoy to push the cyclist, later identified as Musa Malam Rabo, into a ditch and that he sustained injuries in the process.

According to Mukaila, the incident provoked some Hausa youths, who engaged some Gbagyi youths and both sides started hurling stones at each other.

Daily Trust on Sunday gathered that the clash created tension in the area as traders at the Kwali market scampered for safety when policemen drafted to the scene shot severally into the air to disperse the crowd.

Receiving a ministerial team led by the secretary, Area Councils Services Secretariat, Adamu Abubakar Bappah, over the incident yesterday, the Etsu of Kwali, Alhaji Shaban, confirmed that he was on his way to observe the Juma’at prayers when a young man ran into his convoy.

He said one of his security guards flogged the man who allegedly brought out two knives and threatened to stab the security guard.

He said the situation was so bad that he and the Chief Imam had to remain in the mosque for many hours.

He said some youths threw stones and broke the windscreen of one of the vehicles that was on the convoy. “I remained in the mosque until the DPO arrived,” he said. He alleged that some people in the area were behind the attack, adding that he came under a similar attack not long ago.

“The same group of youths mobilized themselves and attacked me. They are being sponsored by some people who don’t want me be the chief of Kwali, “he added.

The secretary, Area Council Service Secretariat, Adamu Abubakar Bappah, told the traditional ruler that the FCT minister, Muhammad Musa Bello, directed them to visit the area and find out what happened. He sympathized with the traditional ruler over the incident, while assuring him that the matter will be looked into.

An Armoured Personal Carrier (APC) has been stationed in the area to maintain peace.

Our reporter, who visited the Kwali General Hospital, saw eight persons with various degrees of injuries.

The Chairman of Kwali Area Council, Mr Joseph K. Shazin, described the incident as unfortunate, saying that anyone found culpable would be prosecuted.

He called on residents of the area to go about their normal businesses as the situation had already been brought under control.

The spokesman of the FCT Police Command, DSP Anjuguri Manza, confirmed the incident, saying heavy security had been deployed to the area.