Lungu demolition: ‘Masterminds’ of death rumour to be arraigned in court

By Stanley Onyekwere

The alleged masterminds of the rumour about the death of mother and her child during a recent demolition exercise at Lungu Village, Gwarinpa, Abuja, one Mr. Yunusa Ahmadu Yusuf and the Chief of Lungu, Mr. Ezekiel Sanya Zakka, would be arraigned in court and prosecuted in accordance with the laws of the land.

The two men who were nabbed at separate locations over the weekend for their roles in peddling the false rumour of death and incitement that led to violent protests, blockade of the ever-busy Zuba/Kubwa/Abuja City Express road resulting in damage of public facilities.

However, they were granted bail by the Police, following the intervention of the FCT Minister, Senator Bala Mohammed, according to a statement issued yesterday by the Special Assistant (Media) to the minister of FCT, Nosike Ogbuenyi.

Yusuf was said to have been arrested in his home village in Kaduna state while Zakka was picked up at Lungu village, for master minding spread of the death rumour, that led to the incident took place barely a fortnight ago.

The statement said, the bail of Zakka and Yusuf followed the acceptance of an apology tendered by some original inhabitants of Abuja living on the Airport Road axis, officials of National Council for Women Societies (NCWS), FCT Chapter and some officials of Greater Gbagyi Development Association who met with him at his office, and pleaded for their release.

It added that the Minister warned FCT residents against all forms of lawlessness such as blockade of roads and highways in the FCT and peddling of lies with a view to inciting the people and blackmailing the authorities.

The minister urged the Commissioner of Police to prosecute all those found culpable in the unjustified incitement and warned all residents including original inhabitants not to do anything that will cause disaffection in the society again.

It adds: “The position of the FCT Administration not to demolish houses belonging to original inhabitants of FCT that were enumerated and captured in official data, adding that if in the cause of demolition, any of such houses are demolished, adequate remedy would be provided; nobody should do anything to hold the entire country to ransom.”

While warning the original inhabitants to be wary of the people they habour in their various native settlements,  the minister noted that he was aware that some original inhabitants were providing cover to strangers that they could not vouch for.