BEVERLY HILLS, March 08, (THEWILL) – At least five people have been reportedly killed in a clash between Yoruba and Hausa traders in the Sabo area of Ile-Ife in Osun state.
The crisis started on Tuesday after a vehicle driven by a Yoruba man hit the wife of a Hausa trader which angered some Hausa youths who attacked the driver with machete.
The situation was temporarily resolved, but members of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), in support of the driver, choose to fight back on Wednesday.
However, security agents deployed in the town foiled an attempt by the aggrieved Yoruba group to gain access into Sabo community, which is predominantly occupied by Hausa people.
Not relenting, the angry mob then stormed Lagere, a neighbouring community, and attacked Hausa traders there destroying 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.
Meanwhile, the Osun state government has declared a two day curfew in Ile-Ife over the clashes.
In a statement signed by Semiu Okanlawon, Director of Communications and Strategy, office of the Osun state Governor, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, the government said the curfew was necessitated by the breach of the peace in the area which has led to avoidable destruction of lives and properties.
“This has been compelled by the breach of the peace in the area which has led to avoidable destruction of lives and property,” he said.
“The curfew, which will be between 6pm to 7am, takes effect from today Wednesday March, 8th, 2017 and will be in force till Friday.”
