(By Gyang Bere – JOS)
Residents of Anguwan Rogo, a suburb in Jos North local government area of Plateau State, clashed with the Islamic Movement in Nigeria, popularly known as Shi’ite and burnt down a structure belonging to the group.
Daily Sun gathered that the incident followed the annual Ashura procession by the shi’its to mark the Islamic festivity.
Eye witness informed that most of the residents who attacked the Shi’ites belonged to gang group called Yan Daba who had vandalised the facility before setting it on fire.
The Shi’ite group had planned to stage a protest in Jos yesterday, but Plateau State Police Command in a latter addressed to the leader of the group, warned them not to embarked on the protest.
The Public Relation Officer (PPRO) DSP Tyopev Marthians, said the group was earlier warned not to stage any protest, saying that would escalate violence in the state.
DSP Marthian added that the Police and operatives of the Operation Safe Haven engaged the Shi’ite group when they insist on the protest to dispersed them.
Similarly, Operation Safe Haven Media and Information Officer, Captain Ikedichi Iweha, said the attack was a community mob action but stated that men of the task force were able to put out the fire.
Captain Iweha further stated that; “security agents have moved into communities in Anguwan Rogo, Gangare, Katako and Anguwan Rimi to prevent a situation where anybody will be molested.
He added that the place is calm now, ” we will intensify patrols in that general area and appeal to people to go about their normal businesses.”