24-HOUR CURFEW IMPOSED IN SOUTHERN KADUNA AS SCORES KILLED IN ETHNIC CLASHES

The Kaduna State Government has declared a 24-hour curfew in Kafanchan, following bloody fighting between ethnic indigene groups in Southern Kaduna and settler elements of Hausa-Fulani dwelling in the area.

A security source of SaharaReporters told by telephone that at least five persons were killed in the fighting.

The bloody clash was also confirmed by an elderly Yoruba resident of Kafanchan, an otherwise quiescent town that used to be known as a railway hub. The man said the assaults flared up again on September 19, 2013, Thursday, after armed soldiers had earlier quelled a skirmish last Sunday.

The security operative disclosed that indigenes of Southern Kaduna and Hausa-Fulani youths engaged in a free-for-all fight using machetes, spears and a few guns. Apart from the dead, many people also sustained varying degrees of injury.

The source said, "I can confirm to you that attacks started yesterday between the indigenes and settlers. And several people were killed before [the] government declared 24 hours curfew today. As we speak, we are in the streets patrolling and all residents are now indoors."

The security agent said yesterday's attack appeared to be reprisals for the death of a young man who was killed last Sunday.

It was not possible to receive the confirmation from Mr. Olufemi Adenaike, the Police Commissioner of Kaduna State. However, a police officer in Kaduna said the commissioner and military authorities in Kaduna had deployed troops to the trouble areas to beef up security and contain any threats that might escalate attacks.

EMBATTLED ANAMBRA STATE COMMISSIONER RESIGNS

Chief Vincent Ejikeme Ezenwajiaku, who was declared wanted by the Special Fraud Unit, SFU, of the Nigeria Police for allegedly obtaining N10.6 million by false pretence and forgery has announced his resignation from the Anambra State Executive Council.

He has also sued the Commissioner of Police in charge of Special Fraud Unit, SFU, as well as one Chuks Mgbenena of NIMASA and CSP Okposiakpo Elolor for N250 million over what he described as an attempt to damage his reputation.

The embattled Anambra State commissioner spoke to the newsmen in Awka on Septmeber 19, 2013.

Chief Ezenwajiaku said the import of what the people were doing was just to take his pound of flesh because he was appointed a commissioner by Governor Peter Obi.

According to him, the amount involved was not N10.6 million, adding that Chuks Mgbemena and SFU just want to put him in bad light, to smear his hard-earned image that had taken him time to build and perhaps, to lose his job as commissioner in the state.

He said: "Since my life, I have never been involved in fraud, or arrested or detained by the police on anything concerning any form of illegality because it was a vow I took after my National Youth Service Corps.

"As a result of this raging fire, I am going further by resigning my position as the State Commissioner for Special Duties and I am going to tender my letter to Governor Obi first thing tomorrow morning (Friday), because I do not intend to embarrass this government.

"This is to prove my innocence until I clear my name of this mess. Whatever it will take to do it, I will do it".

In the suit instituted at the Awka High Court, Ezenwajiaku is urging the court to restrain Mr. Chucks Mgbemena, the Commissioner of Police in charge of SFU and CPS Elohor from arresting him or continuing to harass him, pending the determination of the suit.

CURRENT AFFAIRS: SHOCKING: Rivers Sports Commissioner, Igwe Shot

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  THE Commissioner for Sports in Rivers State, Mr. Igwe, was shot on Sunday by suspected assassins.

  
  

  
  

  
  

  
  

  Details at press time were still hazy, but the state Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Angela Agabe, confirmed the development to Vanguard, Tuesday.
  
  She said the commissioner was responding to treatment at an undisclosed hospital in the state, adding that some unknown gunmen opened fire on him at Akpajo area of the state.
  
  She also said she was yet to get details on the incident.
  
  Another source told Vanguard that the commissioner was in a Toyota Corolla with plate number GCG 11, when the gunmen overtook his vehicle around Akpajo area, and opened fire on him.
  
  The source ruled out robbery, adding that the gunmen acted as assassins.
  
  According to the source, the incident happened at about 8:15p.m. on Sunday
  
  
  
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