Business activities were at standstill in the ancient city of Ile Ife, another big city in Osun state on Wednesday following deadly clashes involving members of Hausa community resident in the town and indigenes.
Though the cause of the clashes could not be immediately ascertained, sources in Ile-Ife told our correspondent that crisis erupted when a Hausa man was caught in bed with the wife of an indigene of the town.
Official casualty figure resulting from the violence was still being expected at the time of filing this report but reliable sources in the areas hit by skirmishes, said not less than seven lives had been lost.
During the visit to Ife, areas like Sabo, Oja Tuntun and Lagere, hitherto beehive of business activities in the town were deserted.
In Sabo, an area predominantly occupied by northern traders, some heavily armed men were seen on the streets, who accused policemen deployed to maintain law and order of taking side in the matter.
Anti riot, regular and mobile policemen were fully on ground to maintain peace and order at all flash points in the town.
Commenting on the development, Imam Muhammed Basir, the senior special assistant to Osun state governor on Arewa matter, said “the situation has taken a very dangerous dimension because as I am talking to you now, one person had been shot dead.
“I have notified the state governor and the state police commissioner, Mr. Fimihan adeoye and the State Director of the Department of State Security Services on the development,” he concluded.
When contacted for reaction, the acting police commissioner in the state, Mr. Mohammed Abubakar Koji, said the situation is under control.
Koji, who spoke through the command’s Police Public Relations Officer, Mrs. Folasade Odoro, stated that men of the command are working hard to prevent further escalation of the violence.
Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, who spoke through Comrade Moses Olafare, his spokesperson, said the monarch has ordered that the Hausa men being held be released immediately.
He called on residents to be tolerant and law abiding.
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