Leadership (Abuja)
Nasir S. Gwangwazo
11 February 2008
Abuja — The palpable tension that engulfed Sumaila town in Kano State, following a violent protest which erupted in the town during the week has finally cooled down, reports say.
At least three persons, including a police inspector and two civilians, were killed while properties worth millions of naira were destroyed as a result of the religious crisis.
Chairman, Sumaila Local Government Area, Alhaji Zubairu Hamza told journalists in Kano that the violence was engineered by "slanderious leaflets" allegedly circulated by some non-Muslim students at Government Secondary School in the town.
Following the tension generated by the riot, the police authority in Kano said it has put its men on the alert to prevent the riot from spilling over to Kano city.
The spokesman, Kano State police command, Mr. Baba Mohammed, said even though the police do not expect the conflict to escalate, the security agents are prepared for any eventuality that might arise from the crisis.
He also confirmed to journalists that about 25 persons, including some students of the secondary school, have been arrested in connection with the violent protest.
Speaking to journalists after an assessment of the affected area, the deputy governor of Kano State, Alhaji Abdullahi Gwarzo, said the crisis could have been avoided if necessary actions were taken by the appropriate authorities. He advised the community and opinion leaders to educate their subjects about the need for them to maintain peace and order in the community.
Our correspondent who visited the scene of the crisis reported that four cars and six motorcycles parked at the police station were burnt, while the town looked deserted.
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