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NO fewer than five persons were reportedly killed in a clash between Yoruba and Hausa traders in the Sabo area of Ile-Ife in Osun State on Wednesday, March 8.

Sources said the trouble leading to the incident actually started on Tuesday, March 7, but escalated on Wednesday morning.

He said trouble started after a vehicle driven by a Yoruba man hit the wife of a Hausa trader. Some youths were said to have attacked the driver with machete.

The situation was temporarily resolved, but members of the National Union of Road Transport Workers, NURTW, chose to fight back on Wednesday.

Adeyeye Ogunwusi, ooni of Ife, reportedly intervened through seeking the assistance of security operatives.

The security agents deployed in the town were said to have foiled an attempt of aggrieved Yoruba residents to gain access into Sabo community, which is predominantly occupied by Hausa people.

The angry mob then stormed Lagere, a neighbouring community, and attacked Hausa traders there.

A witness said security agents found it difficult to control the rampaging mob.

Many have fled Ife as a result of the crisis, which has also led to the destruction of property worth millions of naira.

Some of the persons who sustained injuries have been taken to the Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital (OAUTH) for medical attention.

Muhammed Basir, senior special assistant to Governor Rauf Aregbesola of Osun State on Arewa Matter, said when the situation took a very dangerous dimension security agencies were called in to intervene.

Basir said Aregbesola had been notified about the development as well as security agencies.

Koji Muhammed Abubakar, acting commissioner of Police in the state, speaking through Folasade Odoro, a superintendent of Police and Police Public Relation Officer, PPRO, said necessary steps had been taken and that mobile policemen had also been deployed to the troubled area and Ile-Ife.

—  Mar 8, 2017 @ 19:05 GMT

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