The Police in Zaria, Kaduna State on Thursday averted a clash between some members of the Shi’ite sect and the Gyellesu community in the ancient city.
The incident, which left three people with injuries, was as a result of a misunderstanding on road projects in the area.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the Kaduna State Government had embarked on the reconstruction of Waziri and Madaki roads in Gyellesu in Zaria Local Government Area.
An eyewitness and resident of Gyellesu, who pleaded anonymity, described the event as a mere misunderstanding.
The eyewitness said: “Dust from vehicles plying the reconstructed road has become a source of concern to the residents around the area, who have no alternative than to seek means of avoiding or reducing it.
“The residents then decided to put some stones on the way to reduce motorists’ speed on the road.
“However, Shi’ite members attempted to remove the stones and people around prevented them from doing so.”
The eyewitness also said the forcible removal of the stones by the Shi’ite members had resulted in an exchange of words and blows.
The source said there was however an intervention by two traditional leaders, Malam Musa Bala and Malam Bello Aliyu, the Sarkin Gyellesu 1 and Sarkin Gyellesu 2 respectively.
They visited Sheik Ibrahim El-Zakzakey, the sect leader, for a dialogue, which did not yield any fruitful result.
Confirming the incident, the Police Public Relations Officer, Kaduna State Police Command, DSP Aminu Lawal, said policemen had since been mobilised to the area.
Lawal added that the situation had been brought under control.
He said: “The police intervention saved the situation, as only God knows what would have happened.
“However, the police are now on top of the situation, and policemen will be patrolling the area until normalcy is fully returned.”
Lawal appealed to both sides to sheathe their swords to allow the peace being experienced in the state to flourish.
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