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Hundreds of people whose shops and buildings were razed during the Dutse riots have petitioned the state government over non-inclusion in the payment of compensation.
In an interview with Daily Trust in Kano, Alhaji Sani Shuaibu said although most of their belongings were destroyed along side their non-indigene counterparts, government's compensation does not take into cognisance their own losses.
"We recorded far more losses than them but we have not been included for compensation," he said.
Alhaji Shuaibu said they decided to tell the world in view of the refusal of the state government to look into their plight.
"Let me tell you some of the statistics we have here.
Almost all the shops burnt down belong to the Muslims.
All those who sustained injuries are Muslims and most of the residential buildings torched during the crisis as well as many properties destroyed belong to our brothers," he added.
He said unless government is saying that indigenous businessmen and landlords who were affected during the crisis are paying the price for the action of their brethren, then they must take our plight into consideration.
"I think government should always act responsibly and judiciously.
How could they refuse to compensate people who lost majority of the properties destroyed just because they are indigenes," he asked.
Alhaji Shuaibu however disclosed that they have decided to petition the Dutse Emirate council, the state government as well as security agencies and the media so that justice can be done to all.
In his response however, chairman of the sub-committee on compensation, Alhaji Bala Safiyanu Jahun, said already assessment is underway to determine those who lost their buildings during the riot.
He described as false, allegations of bias against indigenes who lost their property during the mayhem. "I want to refute the allegation that indigenes are not going to be considered,
In fact, right now, a committee is working to assess the level of damage done and soon, compensation would be paid to those affected," he assured.
Meanwhile, a sample opinion of those who received the N40m compensation by the Jigawa state government revealed satisfaction over the payment. Udi Ezekiel told our reporter that although the expectation was beyond what was given, yet the compensation has really helped many people back to business.
It would be recalled that N40m compensation was paid to the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), and non-indigenes who lost their property in the Dutse riot.
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