Tension hit area of of Nsukka, in Nsukka Area of Enugu State on Sunday following the stabbing of a tricycle rider by Hausa man over dispute of transport fare.
Omokoshaban learn that two mosques and other properties belonging to Hausa were burn to ashes yesterday.
Trouble started after Hausa Lady Identify as Aisha who boarded a tricycle refuse to pay the amount they both agreed with the tricycle man who convey her to her destination, which is army barrack with her goods.
It was was learn that They both settle at the price of ,N750, but when Aisha, a trader of fresh tomatoes and other perishables goods arrived at Barrack, she refused to pay the rider the agreed transport fare of N750, instead she gave him N500.
That result to an argument between them which subsequently attracted a crowd.
It was gathered that while people were trying to find a common ground, Aisha placed a call to her brothers, who in turn came in their numbers.
It was learnt that after giving the driver a beating of his life, one of them stabbed him on the chest.
Angered by the attack on the tricycle operator, youths of the area mobilised and launched what seemed like a reprisal and allegedly destroyed two mosques and other valuables belonging to the Hausa community in the area.
Two of the Hausa attackers, Hassan Yakubu and Nurudeen Mohammed, were reported to have been picked up by irate youths, who descended on them to settle the scores.
Hassan, who spoke with newsmen, revealed that his sister Aisha contacted him on the phone, but before he arrived at the scene, one of his brothers, Nurudeen, had stabbed the tricycle operator.
He said, “My sister Aisha contacted me on the phone that she had a problem with a tricycle rider and that I should come. However, before I arrived there, my brother, Nurudeen was already there.
“In short, he and my other brothers had fought with the rider. Unfortunately, he (Nurudeen) stabbed him. So, when he fled, the youths picked on me.”
An eyewitness told our correspondent that the mob blocked the entry and exit points to the popular army barracks junction in Nsukka, burning tyres and destroying items belonging to Hausa people immediately it was alleged that the tricycle rider had died.
It was gathered that the military from the 82 Division of the Nigerian Army, Enugu, later arrived at the scene with over three Hilux vans and Armoured Personnel Carrier and calmed the situation.
Meanwhile, the Catholic Diocese of Nsukka has appealed for calm, saying that the stabbed keke operator, who was rumoured to have died, was still alive and responding to medical treatment at its hospital.
The church, in a statement titled, ‘Nsukka is peaceful, don’t be incited to violence’, was signed by Diocesan Secretary/Chancellor, Rev. Fr. Cajetan Iyidobi. Fr. Iyidobi said that the Bishop, Most Rev, Godfrey Onah, had appealed to all sides involved in the skirmish to remain calm but vigilant.
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