North East Regional Minister, Ibrahim Tia, has opened up about the emotional toll of the recent attacks in Walewale, revealing that he lost his brother in the violence and is deeply traumatised by the events.
Speaking on Eyewitness News on Citi FM on Monday, February 17, Minister Tia recounted his efforts to manage the crisis through stakeholder engagements.
“I went engaging the chiefs in Walewale. I went to the hospital to visit those who were in the bus that got burnt and others I heard that they were also brutalised by the security forces who were around,” he said.
Despite his efforts to calm tensions and ensure medical care for the injured, the violence escalated.
“From there, I decided to go to the next village to greet the chief and tell them that the situation is gradually getting out of hand, and for that matter, there is an imposition of a curfew,” he explained.
While at the palace, the minister faced a direct attack.
“I was in the palace when there was an attack on the palace because of the imposition of the curfew. I was held hostage until a combined team of the military and the police came and rescued me out of the palace,” he recounted.
Tragically, the chaos resulted in the loss of his brother.
“As a result of that, I lost my own brother in Walewale. So I am traumatised,” Minister Tia revealed, underscoring the personal impact of the violence.
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