Emir’s palace razed down, policeman killed in Nasarawa attack

Category: News Published on Monday, 11 February 2013 05:00 Written by Hir Joseph, Lafia

The palace of Sangarin Kwandere (paramount ruler), Alhaji Ahmadu Al-Makura, was among the places burnt down in the skirmishes that hit Kwandere town, at the outskirt of Lafia, capital of Nasarawa State, last week.

A policeman, who was travelling to Barkin Abdullahi, a neighbouring village, after close of work from Lafia, was killed in the crisis which lasted about five hours, the state’s Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Michael Adah, told Daily Trust.

Displaced persons who returned to see the extent of destruction on their town, for the first time, since last Thursday, also alleged that a councillor was killed in the crisis. The returning displaced persons were at Kwandere, which is also the native home of the state governor, Umaru Tanko Al-Makura, when he led a delegation to visit the displaced paramount ruler at the weekend.

They said many property, including the paramount ruler’s palace, as well as grain stores were razed down in the crisis.

Our correspondent reports that Al-Makura, who was accompanied by the state’s commissioner of police, Abayomi Akeremale, the state director of the State Security Service (SSS), Abubakar Bubuche, the state commandant of Civil Defence Corps, Andekin Amos Musa, Captain Salisu of 177 Brigade of Guards as well as the displaced traditional ruler and other members of the state security council, spent over two hours assessing the extent of destruction on the town.

The governor, who addressed the returning displaced persons, appealed for calm, and assured them of government’s improved measures for security.