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Yorubas, Igbo Flee Kano - Rioters Invade Varsity Campus

P.M. News (Lagos)
NEWS
May 14, 2004
Posted to the web May 14, 2004

Thousands of Yoruba and Igbo resident in Kano have begun fleeing the troubled city, to avoid being killed by rampaging religious fanatics who have been killing and maiming non-indigenes to avenge the reported killing of Fulani herdsmen in Yelwa, Shendam Local Government Area of Plateau State.

The fleeing non-indigenes, investigations revealed, were fleeing Kano, believing the attacks might continue today after the Juma'at Service.

Fridays are usually exploited by Muslim zealots during crisis in the north to attack Christians.

Investigations at major motor parks, including Naibawa Motor Park, Zaria Road, Kano showed non-indigenes struggling to board available vehicles to their states.

Most parents with their children and belongings were seen at the parks waiting anxiously to board the few available vehicles, whose drivers have increased fares by more than 300 per cent.

PMNews gathered that more than 10,000 others who could not travel, either because they could not afford the exorbitant fares or because of inadequate vehicles have packed their loads to the Police Headquarters, Bompai and military barracks in the the state to escape the wrath of the rioters.

Other non-indigenes remained indoor as tension gripped the city. Up till last night, trucks were still bringing terrified people into the barracks, P.M.News learnt.

Efforts by the police to put an end to the riot, it was gathered, was being hampered by inadequate personnel.

A resident of the area told P.M.News that the rioters, after being dispersed by the police in an area, would regroup in another area and start attacking Christians and non-indigenes.

Investigations also revealed that the rioters last Wednesday stormed the Kabuga Campus of the Bayero University, Kano, attacking lecturers and students.

Scores of vehicles belonging to lecturers were vandalised at the staff quarters while Christian staff of the university were immediately evacuated to safe areas.

Meanwhile, the state government has shut down all public schools to prevent the rioters from co-opting children into joining them and cause more mayhem.

It was also learnt that the on-going West African Secondary School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) in the state has been disrupted by the rioters.

 
 

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