…..threatens to chase out residents
….residents pleads with govt, police to secure the facility
Chinwendu Nnadozie-Minna
Uneasy calm now pervades Minna, Niger state capital as hoodlums in their numbers yesterday invaded the, M I Wushishi housing estate, eastern by-pass and destroyed a yet to be ascertained number of properties.
The invasion in broad daylight as most of the men had gone to work and other engagements leaving mostly behind women and children, according to sources is coming on the heels of state government’s clampdown on illegal miners engaged in illegal activities in the area.
Six cars and a number of business and residential houses were broken into by the hoodlums said to be chanting anti-government slogans as they continued with the destruction of properties unchallenged by any of the security forces.
One of the residents on the condition of anonymity told our correspondent that they were able to identify some of the illegal gold miners among the attackers who also threatened to sack the entire occupants of the housing estate should they ever report to the police or anyone harasses them again.
Meanwhile, residents of the state have called for the establishment of a police outpost to provide security for them and as well prevent future invasions by criminal elements.
The residents recalled that several requests made to the state commissioner of police to come to their aid especially now that the hoodlums had threatened to sack the entire community if anyone distracts them again.
Though they confirmed the police has been supportive, more they say needed to be done with the sudden surge in crime and criminalities within Minna metropolis in particular and therefore called on the Niger state government to come to their aid by securing M I Wushishi housing estate from.
Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Niger state command, Wasiu A. Abiodun confirmed the attack.
Abiodun said the police received distress call that suspected illegal miners/thugs engaged in fight and were destroying properties in the housing estate.
The police patrol teams led by the DPO Maitumbi quickly mobilized his men and moved to the scene and successfully dispersed the miscreants.
Abiodun however told journalists that one person among the gangs whose identity is still unknown was killed during the raid and that his remains had been deposited at the Minna General hospital morgue.
The PPRO also hinted that investigations into the cause of the breach of peace is ongoing while efforts are also on to arrest the fleeing assailants.
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