The North East Regional Minister, Ibrahim Tia, has recounted a harrowing ordeal in which he was attacked, and his vehicle was vandalised by an angry mob at the Walewale Chief’s palace.
His comments come in the wake of violent incidents in Walewale that resulted in the deaths of about seven with others injured after a bus was attacked and burnt.
According to the Minister, he had received information that during the unrest, some individuals were beaten, and one person tragically lost their life.
In response, he said that he visited the hospital on Saturday to check on the injured victims and personally covered their medical bills.
Mr Tia added that while making his way to offer condolences to the bereaved families, the Minister stopped at the Walewale Chief’s palace to brief the Chief on the deteriorating situation.
Read also: 4 passengers dead in attack near Walewale; 9 hospitalised after alleged military brutality
“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.
He continued “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 under hostage for more than two hours. It was a combined military and then police that came and rescued me and I left,” he recounted.
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