Tension in Ile-Ife as Yoruba/Hausa clash

Tension rises as not less 30 people have suffered various degrees of injuries in an impasse that ensue in the ancient City of Ile-Ife, Osun-State on Wednesday.

The imbroglio began Tuesday night when the wife of the chairman National union of road transport workers in the city was allegedly slapped by an Hausa man over some scuttles between them.

The development our correspondent was told has snowball into the crisis from early this morning which now left scores injured and property worth millions of naIra has been razed completely by some irate youths said to belong to the transport worker’s leader.

A source who will not want his name printed while confirming the incident also said that Mobile Police officers have been dispatched into Sabo area of the town where the crisis is currently boiling to bring the situation under control.

Meanwhile, the State Police Command said only seven persons have been confirmed dead with several others injured.

The Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP), Aminu Koji, confirmed this to reporters at the Ile-Ife Area Command in Osun State, Southwest Nigeria.

Mr Koji said the Police have been able to bring the situation under control, adding that normalcy has returned to the areas affected by the clash.

The DCP said the incident has left many homeless while goods worth millions of Naira were destroyed.

During his visit to palace of the Ooni of Ife, he assured Oba Ogunwusi that the Police would reinforce the security operatives at Sabo and Obalufon areas to ensure the crisis was brought under total control.

Mr Koji hinted that thousands of Hausa indigenes have been evacuated to the Ile Ife Area Command for safety and to later reunite with their families.