Posted by By Mariam Agboola, Jos on
The continuous clash between security agents attached to Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the pro Dariye group in Jos has led to the death of two persons and left two others seriously injured. The house of the Deputy Senate President was also torched.
The continuous clash between security agents attached to Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the pro Dariye group in Jos has led to the death of two persons and left two others seriously injured. The house of the Deputy Senate President was also torched.
The incident occurred yesterday when EFCC officials were conveying the eight members of the Plateau State House of Assembly led by Mike Dapianlong from the House to unknown destination and they were attacked by pro-Dariye group which was throwing stones at the vehicles and the security men. The group had already barricaded the road by the Plateau Specialist Hospital to prevent the EFCC and the members from getting away.
In order to open up the road, the police said to be led by the Commissioner, Mr. Ibiyinka Kayode, fired randomly with some bullet hitting the victims.
One of the victims, a 20 year-old-boy, whose corpse was left for hours by the gate of the Plateau Specialist Hospital, came out of the hospital to see what was happening when the bullet hit him at the forehead, blew off his left eye and ear and killing him instantly. The other victim who was also hit in front of the hospital gave up to ghost while receiving treatment.
The Mike Dapianlong group had been taken to the House of Assembly by about 9.00am to continue their deliberation on the impeachment of Governor Joshua Dariye.
Though journalists were not allowed into the session which lasted about 20 minutes but Saturday Sun gathered that the two members, Peter Azi and Davou Dong had been adamant about not cooperating with the group on its impeachment move.
The pro-Dariye group was not aware that the eight members will be brought in on yesterday but as soon as they got wind of the plan marched to the House of Assembly to continue their protest.
After the death of the boys, the pro-Dariye group became wild and marched to the house of the deputy Senate President, Ibraahim Mantu at No. 9 Mangu Road where they set fire on a wing of the house, also burnt four cars and smashed five others.
His elder sister who is said to be residing in the house was however not molested.
The group also went to the House of the minister of Industries, Sir. Fidelis Tapgun at Naraguta Avenue where they burnt some motorcycles. They also visited a house said to belong to President Olusegun Obasanjo at Wase Close but were driven away before they could cause any havoc.
Meanwhile, Governor Joshua Dariye who was at the Plateau Specialist Hospital to see things for himself expressed dismay at the way security agents had turned the state to a battlefield. Dariye lamented that what is happening is not part of democracy. He said it was decided at security meetings that in times of emergencies, only rubber bullets should be used.
He appealed to the youths who had gathered to maintain restraint; promising that appropriate measures will be taken to address the situation.
The deputy governor Michael Botmang who was with the governor at the hospital was called a traitor as he was accused of co-operating with EFCC who had promised to make him a governor once Chief Dariye is removed from office.