Chiemelie Ezeobi
Scores were wednesday injured and one killed at the Lagos State government-owned abattoir at the Oko-Oba area of Agege, following a bloody clash between the Hausa and Fulani communities in the area.
It was gathered that the crisis had erupted when a young Hausa girl was beaten up by a Fulani man, over a yet-to-ascertained matter.
The young girl was said to have rushed home to report, thus triggering the anger of the Hausa youths, who set off to revenge the assault on their sister.
The incident first started with exchange of words before it became bloody as they unleashed mayhem in the area.
Both groups were said to have unleashed violence on themselves using matchetes and other dangerous weapon, at the end of which an Hausa man was killed and several others seriously injured. To quell the situation, the Commander, Rapid Response Squad (RRS), Olatunji Disu, an Assistant Commissioner of Police, alongside the Area G Commander, stormed the scene and restored peace, as well as arresting four suspects.
Meanwhile, the state Commissioner of Police, Fatai Owoseni, has directed that a peace parley be organised with the leaders of the both factions present in order to seek for a lasting solution and prevent its reoccurrence.
Confirming the incident, the state Police Public Relations Officer, Dolapo Badmos, said it took the intervention of the police to quell what would have deteriorated to a serious crisis.
She said: “The Lagos State Command has quelled what would have been a serious crisis in Abattoir, Agege area of the state.
“At about 1300hrs of today, there was a distress report of serious fighting between the Hausa-Fulani community section of Abattoir.
“The report indicated that the crisis erupted as a result of a young Hausa girl been beaten up by a Fulani man, an action which did not go down well with the Hausa men, which led them to seeking revenge.
“This later degenerated into serious fight and subsequent destruction of properties. The command’s operatives from Area G, RRS, and Abattoir Division were moved in to quell the crisis.
“Normalcy has since returned to the area, while the Commissioner of Police, CP Fatai Owoseni has directed a peace parley to be held with the leaders of the both groups and intensive patrol in the area.
“Value of properties destroyed yet unknown, one life was reportedly lost while four suspects were arrested.
“Members of the public and legitimate business owners in and around Abattoir, Agege and by extension Lagos State are advised to carry on with their activities as the Command is doing everything possible to ensure their safety and security. “
