Maiduguri mayhem: 58
killed, 30 churches burnt
By Tony Icheku, Maiduguri
Monday, February 20, 2006
 |
•
Gov. Ali Modu Sheriff
Photo: THE SUN PUBLISHING
|
| |
| |
No fewer than 58 persons were killed and 30 churches burnt
as the protest in Maiduguri, Borno State, over controversial
cartoons published in Europe on Prophet Muhammed turned violent.
A victim, Mr Joseph Tukwa watched helplessly as six of his
children were burnt to ashes. Another family of five in another
part of Maiduguri were also burnt to death in the disturbance
which occurred last Saturday.
In a reaction, the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN)
Borno State chapter has accused the police command of complicity
in the crisis. The state chairman, Rev. Joshua Adamu revealed
that over 68 persons were reported dead and churches numbering
about 30 burnt in various parts of the city.
Altogether, he estimated that the CAN corporate members have
suffered greatly, putting the loss at over N5 billion .
According to the state secretary, Rev Niven Mshelia, the police
failed to act promptly to nip the crisis in the bud. Rev Mshelia
told journalists that the police failed to provide security
while the hoodlums were gathering, and for over three hours
disappeared from the city of Maiduguri while the havoc was
going on.
Daily Sun counted over 50 shops and three hotels belonging
to southerners which were either burnt, looted or destroyed.
Dr. Anthony Uba who led the delegation of Igbo Community Welfare
Association to meet with Governor Sheriff at the Government
House, told journalists that the damage in terms of lives
lost and property damaged was extensive and yet to be estimated.
“We are now seeking hope, shelter and food for the homeless,”
he said.
Rev Mshelia, however, asserted that southerners were the main
target, and they greatly suffered during the crisis, which
lasted over six hours.
The state commissioner of police, Alhaji Abubakar Mohammed
said the police has on its record 17 deaths, while they have
arrested 144 suspects. He also confirmed that 30 churches
were completely burnt down.
The first 11 people whose death were actually confirmed, a
priest and his personal assistant, were burnt to death at
St. Theresa Catholic Church in Olokutu area of Maiduguri.
Sources at the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital also
confirmed that more than 35 corpses were received at the hospital
mortuary. However, the sources declined disclosing their identities.
Prominent on the list of churches destroyed include newly
completed multi-million naira two-storey building of the Living
Faith Church, which premises houses a nursery and primary
school,
The Deeper Life Church also lost its state headquarters, while
the Catholic Church lost over 10 church compounds housing
church halls, offices and residents for its priests and other
church workers.
Governor Sheriff in a speech on Saturday warned that there
would be no sacred cow in dealing with the culprits caught
in the crisis.
|
