There was confusion on Sunday in the
Ketu area of Lagos State after some Hausa youths seized a chemist,
identified as Emmanuel Emeka.
Ketu area of Lagos State after some Hausa youths seized a chemist,
identified as Emmanuel Emeka.
PUNCH Metro learnt that Emeka
would have been lynched but for the intervention of policemen from the
Ketu Police Division who quickly brought the situation under control.
would have been lynched but for the intervention of policemen from the
Ketu Police Division who quickly brought the situation under control.
A source told our correspondent that the
victim had written a blasphemous word on a magazine, which triggered
the anger of the youths.
victim had written a blasphemous word on a magazine, which triggered
the anger of the youths.
The source said the police had already taken custody of the victim to save his life.
He added that the Hausa youths mobilised
to destroy the victim’s shop, but were prevented by the policemen, who
were deployed in the area.
to destroy the victim’s shop, but were prevented by the policemen, who
were deployed in the area.
He said, “It happened around 9pm on
Sunday. The issue could have led to a bloody fight between Christians
and Muslims in Ketu, but for the police.
Sunday. The issue could have led to a bloody fight between Christians
and Muslims in Ketu, but for the police.
“What happened was that the man wrote
something on a magazine which the Hausa youths said was blasphemous.
When other Hausa men saw it, they became angry and seized him.
something on a magazine which the Hausa youths said was blasphemous.
When other Hausa men saw it, they became angry and seized him.
“Some of his friends tried to rescue him
and that almost started a fight. The police were alerted and they
responded quickly and doused the rising tension.”
and that almost started a fight. The police were alerted and they
responded quickly and doused the rising tension.”
The Police Public Relations Officer, SP Dolapo Badmos, confirmed the incident, adding that the situation was under control.
She also confirmed that Emeka was in police custody.
She said, “The Lagos State Police
Command averted what could have been a religious crisis between the
Igbo community and the Hausa Muslim community due to the timely
intervention of its operatives.
Command averted what could have been a religious crisis between the
Igbo community and the Hausa Muslim community due to the timely
intervention of its operatives.
“At about 9.05pm, the Ketu division
received a distress call that a boy was about to be lynched by some
youths because he wrote blasphemous words on their magazine.
received a distress call that a boy was about to be lynched by some
youths because he wrote blasphemous words on their magazine.
“The boy was rescued and kept in
protective custody. His chemist shop was secured from destruction.
Everywhere is calm as the police have intensified patrol in the area
after successfully calming frayed nerves.”
protective custody. His chemist shop was secured from destruction.
Everywhere is calm as the police have intensified patrol in the area
after successfully calming frayed nerves.”