Ibrahim Tia, the North East Regional Minister, has described a terrifying experience at the Walewale Chief’s palace, where he was attacked and his car was vandalized by an enraged mob.
His remarks follow violent episodes in Walewale that saw a bus attacked and burned, killing roughly seven people and injuring others.
The Minister stated that he had been informed that one person sadly died and that others were beaten during the disturbances.
He replied that he personally paid for the injured victims’ medical fees and went to the hospital on Saturday to see how they were doing.
Mr. Tia continued by saying that the Minister visited the Walewale chief’s palace to inform the Chief of the worsening circumstances on his way to express condolences to the relatives of the deceased.
“I’ve just gotten word from the Ministry of Interior that a curfew would be imposed on Walewale and its environs. As such, I have to brief you [chief]. We tried, but this is where we are now. Let us still see how we can manage the curfew period and comply with it and get back and plead subsequently for its review,” he explained.
“And from there, I was now to move to the bereaved family, to greet them and to sympathise with them and to see the way forward. I was attacked at the Chief’s palace. My vehicle was vandalised. I was held hostage for more than two hours. It was a combined military and then police that came and rescued me, and I left,” he recounted.
Source: newsthemegh.com