Hausa, Yoruba clash at Ile-Ife, three killed
By Samson Okikiolu
Now fewer than three people may have been killed and scores wounded after a clash between Yoruba natives and Hausa-Fulani settlers at Ile-Ife, the cradle of the Yoruba nation.
Eye witnesses told Irohinoodua that the crisis began when a Fulani man attacked a married woman for obstructing her way. But there were other sources claiming that violence erupted after a dispute between two people of different ethnic background, one being a Fulani and the other an Hausa person.
Sources claimed the crisis began to brew on Sunday but culminated in violent clashes today leaving at least three people dead and scores wounded.
As at press time, our correspondent who visited Sabo area of Ife noticed some houses were set ablaze as residents run helter skelter.
“We do not know the root cause of the crisis. But I can tell you that the Hausa-Fulani people are the aggressors. Every little thing they would bring out a knife. They have no respect for our culture. They live as if they are in Sokoto. They desecrate our values and undermine the sacred norms of our ancient city”, Agboola Ajayi a member of the Oodua Liberation Movement, (OLM) in the city told Irohinoodua.
He said the attackers brought out guns and dangerous weapons to attack Ife people. “We were caught unawares. In our tradition, when two people fight, the normal thing is to intervene and bring them to a round table. But in this instance, anytime they have quarrel with Yoruba people they bring out cutlasses. We were shocked by the sophisticated weapons that they brought out from their shops today”, Agbolola said.
However, a Hausa community leader in the city, Hassan Kura said no human lives were lost. He told Irohin oodua “We have been living in this city for decades. We are good neigbbours. What happened was a minor misunderstanding which will be resolved.” He said the Ooni of Ife, His Imperial Majesty, Oba Enitan Adeyeye Ogunwusi had already put in place peace moves to resolve the disagreement.