There was commotion in Ibadan on Friday
when Yoruba and Hausa traders clashed at Bodija Market, leaving at least
five people injured while property worth millions of naira were
destroyed, according to eyewitness.
Traders fled the market in the aftermath
of the clash, leaving their stores open while food stuffs littered the
entire market. At the entrance of the market, a commercial bicycle was
set ablaze while the owner escaped with minor injuries.
A truck load of food stuffs was....
also
vandalised inside the market. Traders with serious injuries were said to
have been quickly taken to the hospital while police vans were
stationed at strategic positions.
There were varied accounts of the cause
of the clash but a credible source, Akeem Emiola, who is the Public
Relations Officer, Ibadan Food Stuffs Sellers Association, Bodija
Market, told our correspondent that there had been tension between the
two groups since Yoruba traders were killed by Boko Haram members in
Borno State.
On May 5, 2013, four traders were killed
while 10 more were killed on June 28. 2013. Since the massacres were
carried out, Yoruba traders had shunned the troubled zone, paving the
way for Hausa traders to bring in food stuffs, especially beans from the
North and sell at preferred prices.
Emiola said Friday’s clash was the climax of the tension that had been on the rise since the death of the 14 traders.
He added that there were rumours that a
clash was imminent between the two ethnic groups, leading to a peace
talk called by the community leaders in Bodija area, where all concerned
parties were invited.
But a solution remained elusive until
Friday, when the state Commissioner of Police, Mohammed Indabawa,
invited all the parties involved to find a solution to the brewing
crisis.
____________________________
Share your thoughts...thanks!
No comments:
Post a Comment