The Police on Thursday announced the arrest of former Chairman of Suleja Local Government Area of Niger, Ahmed Kassim and two others, for alleged breach of peace.
Dibal Yakadi, Commissioner of Police in Niger, told newsmen that a crisis was triggered by an alleged attempt by the former chairman and his loyalists to gain entrance into the Suleja Secretariat as the substantive chairman.
Mr Yakadi, who confirmed the arrest, said said the suspect was trying to force his way into the Council Secretariat.
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Mr Kassim was removed from office by the legislative arm of the council over allegations of abuse of office.
His removal was later affirmed by the state assembly after investigating his alleged offences.
Since then, litigation over his ordeal had lingered at the State High Court which eventually ruled in his favour, ordering his reinstatement.
But the incumbent chairman, Abdullahi Maje, appealed against the judgment at the court of Appeal in Abuja.
NAN reports that the alleged attempt by Mr Kassim to gain access to his former office on Thursday resulted in fracas, grounding economic activities in the town.
The development led to the blockage of the main federal road linking Suleja to the Federal Capital Territory, thereby forcing motorists to divert.
The Niger police command draft policemen to avert an imminent breakdown of law and order.
There was also a heavy presence of security operatives around the secretariat.
The council’s chairman, who was in his office, appealed for calm, saying security operatives were on top of the situation.
He called on residents to go about their legitimate businesses.
He explained that the local administration would not tolerate any act capable of bringing confusion in the area.
“We will deal decisively with any person or group of people found tampering with the peaceful atmosphere which our area is known for,” he said.
NAN
