Mayhem In Enugu As Violence Erupts, Mosques, Shops Burnt

There was seeming trepidation in Nsukka, a bubbling iconic town in Enugu state, during the weekend after Irate youths went on rampage burning mosques and destroying many shops.

The development caused tension in the town which has been without crisis for a long time.

Trouble began 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 altercation the duo.

According to witnesses, what started out as a mere altercation degenerated into full blown melee after  the woman called her brothers who arrived the scene and allegedly stabbed the tricyclist identified as Kelechi.

The development infuriated the youths 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.

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 in 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.”