The North East Regional Minister, Ibrahim Tia, has narrated the narrowing ordeal he went through after he was attacked, and his vehicle was vandalised by angry mob at the Walewale Chief’s palace on Saturday, February 15.
On Saturday, reports were rife that some irate youth in Walewale were not pleased with the curfew imposed by the government in the wake of violent incidents. Displeased with the curfew, the angry youth protested, a situation which caused unrest in the town and led to injuries of some persons.
According to the Minister, he proceeded to the hospital after he was informed that during the unrest, some individuals were beaten, and one person had tragically lost his life.
The Minister said he visited the hospital on Saturday to check on the injured victims after which he proceeded to the Chief’s palace to brief him on the curfew and related happenings in the town.
Ibrahim Tia revealed that it was at the Chief’s palace that the mob attacked him, held him hostage for over two hours and vandalised his vehicle.
“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 recounted in an interview with Joy News on Monday.
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.”
It took a military reinforcement to rescue the Minister.
Walewale: Irate youth vandalise North East Regional Minister’s vehicle over curfew imposition
