Information reaching 247ureports.com indicates that the tensed Igbo community in Sabon Gari Kano maybe undergoing what possibly appears as reprisal attack over the riot in Onitsha, the commercial capital of Anambra State.
Available information indicates that a warehouse belonging to the Nigerian Postal agency – and rented out to the Igbo merchants in Kano was mysteriously set on fire today’s afternoon around 1:30pm. The warehouse is located along New Road in the outskirts of Sabon Gari – an area dominated by Igbos and other southern minorities.
The cause of the fire is said to be officially not certain but eyewitnesses who spoke to our correspondents indicate that it may be the result of “anything”. They did not rule out the chances of the fire being an accident. In talking to the Police Public Relations Officer [PPRO], Magaji, he confessed that he was just coming out of prayers – that he is yet to be briefed on the fire. Also, the Chief Press Secretary, Dantiye when contacted stated that he was out of town and was not aware of the incident – that he will make the necessary contacts and return to us.
Nonetheless, the leader of Ndigbo in Kano and Chairman of Kano State Ohaneze, Chief Tobias Idika has confirmed the fire – and the extent of the damage to goods belonging to south eastern merchants. He added that the warehouse extended over an area of 200meters by 120meters.
The fire brigade was reported to have arrived the scene. But the extent of the fire was overwhelming to the skeletal team of fire – fighters. Available information indicates that the fire-fighters ran out of water minutes after their arrival.
Meanwhile, in a related development, a suspect has been arrested nearby the fire incident at a porsche hotel located by Gold Coast road and Enugu Road in Sabon Gari. The suspect is said to have arrived at the hotel with what is suspected by police to be explosives. Details remain sketchy.
