Kano Arms Cache: Lebanese Denies Role, Arrest

Kano Arms Cache: Lebanese Denies Role, Arrest

The proprietor of Tahir Hotel in Kano and chairman of the Lebanese community in Kano State, Mr Tahir Faddalah, yesterday dismissed media reports that he was arrested in connection with the armoury found by the Joint Task Force (JTF) in the state.

In a reaction to the report yesterday, Tahir said it was a calculated attempt to tarnish his image and promised to seek legal redress.

In a statement made available to LEADERSHIP WEEKEND in Kano, the Lebanese community in conjunction with the office of the Consul-General of the Republic of Lebanon as well as the security agencies said the media reports were not true.

It said a particular daily’s report that Faddalah was arrested by the JTF was “malicious and totally untrue”.

Speaking to newsmen in Kano,  Tahir said, “They (Lebanese community) are known for decades in Nigeria not only in Kano as peace-loving people who have never been involved in any kind of crime; as such, they unequivocally condemned in strong terms crime in whichever form irrespective of whoever is involved.”

He said the Lebanese community in Kano had, in the wake of the discovery of the heavy weapons during a joint military operation in Kano and the subsequent arrest of some of its members, “condemned any kind of crime in whichever guise and promised to join hands with the security agencies in fishing out bad eggs among us”.

Mr Faddalah noted that having lived in Nigeria for upward of a century and as peace-loving people conducting their normal businesses in a manner mutually beneficial to all and having never been associated with any crime over the entire period, “we will never accept, assist or associate with any criminal activities by any group or individual”.

He pledged his community’s willingness to cooperate with the security and law enforcement agencies in their efforts in countering all acts or activities associated or related to terrorism.

Also, the acting consul of the Republic of Lebanon in Kano, Mr Khalil Musliman, presented a copy of the passports of the arrested person which reads, “The Federal Ministry of Internal Affairs, Immigration Regulation 1963, business permit No. MIA/B 24332/T/403 with AMFAT Nigeria Limited and owner Abdu Hassan Taheer Sierra Leon”.

The JTF had found an underground armoury in a house occupied by a Lebanese in Kano. On Thursday, the military displayed the weapons for members of the public to see.

The statement by Fadlallah reads in part: “The Lebanese community in Kano in particular and Nigeria in general states unequivocally that it condemns crime in whatever form and manner and in the strongest possible terms irrespective of who the culprit(s) may be. The Lebanese in Kano have been living in Nigeria for upward of a century and noted as peace-loving people conducting their lawful businesses in a manner mutually beneficial to all and have never been associated with any crime over the entire period of their stay in Nigeria and will not accept, assist or associate with any criminal activities by any individual or group.

“The Lebanese community wished to categorically state its preparedness and willingness to cooperate with security and law enforcement agencies in their efforts to counter any acts or activities associated or related to terrorists’ acts.

“Finally, the Lebanese community wishes to restate its full and unwavering confidence in the ability of the relevant authorities to carry out thorough investigations with a view to bringing the culprit(s) to justice.”

Prior to the community’s issuing of the statement, Fadlallah’s lawyers had, in a telephone chat, said Fadlallah was not connected with the arsenal discovered in the town.