By Amos Tauna
Police in Kaduna, northern Nigeria have averted a civil unrest following the alleged demolition and destruction of a building in Sabo Area. The structure – Green Apple – runs as a hotel and recreational facility.
The Hotel, belonging to former Minister of Environment, Laurentia Laraba Malam. has for sometime been sealed-off following a court order, over its legitimate owner.
An eye witness who wants to remain anonymous told AFRICA PRIME NEWS that suspected thugs from a “Muslim community, in company of armed policemen, stormed the property,” located in a Christian community, and “started pulling down part of the structure.”
In reaction, youths within the area quickly mobilised themselves to resist the alleged demolition that almost took religious colouration. They barricaded the road passing through the area and burnt down tyres.
The thugs who were said to have stormed the area in buses left immediately when they saw the youth of the area mobilising themselves.
News like wildfire immediately went round Kaduna and the social media, creating tension – people giving it religious meaning.
Our reporter gathered that a Court had earlier ruled the case in favour of the former Minister while she was in power, but the contender filed a fresh case last year, in which the court asked for the suspension of business activity and the matter to maintain its status.
One of the policemen on ground told our reporter that they were stationed there to ensure restoration of peace and order.
AFRICA PRIME NEWS could not establish the identity of the police alleged to have accompanied the thugs, effort to reach the Police Public Relations Officer, to clarify that was unsuccessful as his phone line was not going through.
Normalcy has been restored in the area and its environs, as people are going about their normal activities.
But on his Facebook Wall, Samuel Aruwan, the Special Assistant to Governor of Kaduna State says “There is no any crisis in and around Sabon Tasha, Narayi and Barnawa areas as being speculated. Please ignore the story…”
Iliya Kure contributed to this report
