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Police
ask Kano refugees to vacate Barracks
By
Augustine Madu-West
Special
Correspondent,
Kano
Police
in Kano have given refugees camping in various police formations in the
state up to the end of this month to vacate the barracks or face the wrath
of the authorities.
Thousands
of refugees, who are victims of the May 11 riot in the state, are still
staying in police and military formations in Kano, five months after the
mayhem.
Most
of them are those whose homes were burnt down or looted in volatile areas
such as Sharada, Sheka, Panshekara, University Town of Kabuga and
Challawa. Several lives of non-Muslims and non-natives were
lost.
Besides,
most of the refugees still lodging in the barracks and churches were given
quit notices by their landlords after threats were issued to them by
Muslim youths who vowed to raze their buildings if they readmit the
fleeing tenants.
Apart
from the eviction notices, posters were pasted on the doors of some of the
victims in Sharada and Challawa warning Christians and non-indigenes
against returning to the areas.
This
and other factors led to the fear that has kept most of the victims away
from their homes.
Some
state governments have expressed worry over the plight of their indigenes
by sending vehicles to evacuate those willing to leave Kano, as well as
distribute relief materials to victims.
Plateau,
Kogi, Gombe, and Nassarawa are states that have responded to the pathetic
situation of the people in the barracks. Women and children were among the
first batches to be moved out to their home states.
Last
week, Kogi State Government sent in a delegation with some relief
materials for their indigenes. It was headed by Commissioner for Budget
and Planning Saidu Akawu Salihu, who spoke with the refugees numbering
about 1,000 in police barracks in Bompai.
He
pledged the government�s resolve to rehabilitate them soon and that
transport would be provided those willing to leave Kano for Kogi.
The
team met with acting Commissioner of Police Sobo Ibrahim Ringim who
pleaded for more time to enable the government prepare for the evacuation
and rehabilitation of the refugees.
Responding,
Ringim thanked the group for the government�s concern over the plight of
their people.
He
said Nigerians should continue to pray for peace at all times, noting that
disturbances in the state are always the handiwork of
hoodlums.
He
confirmed in an interview on Monday that the decision to evict the
refugees from the barracks was informed by their �terrible behaviour�, as
they have �messed up the place while some of them steal or harbour
criminals�.
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