.Oyo govt appeals for calm
Joseph Okwuofu, Ibadan
There was pandemonium at the popular Oojo area of Ibadan, in Akinyele Local Government Area of Oyo state on Wednesday, as bloody clash erupted between the Hausa and Yoruba residents following heated argument, leaving no fewer than three persons dead.
The fight which resulted in a free-for-all, saw shop owners, motorists and passersby running helter skelter in fear of being attacked, while police and other security personnel were busy , trying to quell the mayhem.
According to eyewitness accounts, the crisis reportedly began after a disagreement between a Yoruba commercial tricycle operator and some individuals said to be of Hausa origin.
The altercation allegedly turned violent, with the tricycle operator reportedly stabbed during the incident.
Local sources claimed the situation escalated when a group of suspected Hausa scrap collectors allegedly attacked people in the area, resulting in the death of the victim after he was reportedly overpowered.
The suspects were said to have fled the scene before security operatives arrived.
The incident sparked protests by angry Yoruba youths, who demanded the immediate arrest and prosecution of those responsible.
The protest briefly heightened tension in the community as residents expressed concern over the deteriorating security situation.
Operatives of the Oyo State Joint Security Task Force, Operation Burst, alongside other security agencies, have since been deployed to the area to restore normalcy and prevent a further breakdown of law and order.
The Oyo State Government has described the incident as unfortunate and appealed for calm, though tension is still much high as the residents of the area are still living in fear of a reprisal attack.
Deputy Governor, Chief Bayo Lawal, who visited the scene on behalf of Governor Seyi Makinde, urged residents to remain peaceful and allow security agencies to thoroughly investigate the incident while the state government takes appropriate action, assuring that anyone found culpable would face the full weight of the law.
The deputy governor then hinted that two people have been confirmed dead in the unrest.
Some eyewitnesses described the atmosphere as tense in the early hours of Wednesday but noted that the prompt intervention of security personnel helped to prevent further escalation.
Meanwhile, the Chairman of Akinyele Local Government, where Oojo is located, Hon Akinwole Ayobami Akinleye has assured residents that the government is working closely with security agencies to ensure the safety of lives and property around the area and appealed against reprisals or the spread of unverified information.
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