There was tension in Mpape, an Abuja suburb, following an attack on the palace of the community’s chief that led to the death of one person.
Mpape community has witnessed a similar incident in the past as a result of a disagreement between the chief and some of his subjects that usually opposed him on some issues.
The recent incident, City News learnt, is coming after the chief, who is currently on suspension, ordered the demolition of an abandoned building close to his palace on Sunday.
Some residents, who spoke to City News yesterday, said the chief took the decision based on an understanding between him and two siblings that owned the structure.
“He built two new houses for them around Machafa road here in Mpape, as replacement for the old facility, and also gave each of them N50,000, while they were parking into the houses about two months ago.
“So on Sunday he ordered the demolition of the old facility as agreed, but a group of people alleged to be loyal to the acting chief opposed the decision. “They stormed the palace around 8pm on Wednesday,’’ the source disclosed.
It was alleged that the deceased, who was simply identified as Abdul, led the mob which destroyed windscreens of one of the chief’s vehicles packed at the palace.
“He went ahead to disconnect the cable that supplied power to the palace, but unfortunately he was stabbed in the process, which resulted in his death,’’ the source added.
Meanwhile, security operatives comprising police, soldiers and DSS have been drafted to guard the houses of both the palace of the suspended chief and the resident of the acting chief.
When City News visited the community yesterday, security operatives were seen on patrol.
Contacted, the FCT police command spoke person DSP Josephine Adeh, confirmed the incident.
She gave the name of the deceased as Abdurrahman Usman, who she said the police division in the area rushed to the Maitama hospital after the incident, where he was confirmed dead.
