Ibrahim Ramalan At least 10 people have been killed, 70 sustained gunshots injuries and over 30 Northerners declared missing in a ...
At least 10 people have been killed, 70 sustained gunshots
injuries and over 30 Northerners declared missing in a deadly attack on Sasa
Market traders in Akinyele Local Government Area of Oyo State.
DAILY NIGERIAN gathered over 6,000 Northerners, mostly
Hausas, are currently taking refuge at the residence of Sarkin Sasa, Haruna
Maiyasin.
“I have over 6,000 displaced people packed in my house. Many
people have been killed, while others injured,” Mr Maiyasin told DAILY
NIGERIAN.
Witnesses said the crisis erupted on Thursday when a porter
carrying a basket of tomato inadvertently nudged a Yoruba woman. The woman
allegedly retaliated and organised a group of Yoruba thugs to avenge.
DAILY NIGERIAN gathered that after the fight, one of the
thugs died in the hospital.
When the news of the death circulated, the Yoruba youths
allegedly gathered and started attacking the Northern traders.
In a interview with DAILY NIGERIAN, the chairman of Sasa
Market Traders, Usman Yako, said they informed the police immediately after the
report of the death, but the police did not promptly respond to their call
until the situation went out of control.
“We called the police to inform them about the issue, and
possible break down of law and order, but they did not take action immediately
until the situation deteriorated,” he said.
According to Mr Yako, when the operatives of the regional
security outfit, Amotekun, came, they started shooting at Northern traders
instead of protecting them from attack.
“When Amotekun came, they started shooting at Northerners.
The hoodlums started setting houses ablaze, shooting and burning Hausa traders’
shops.
“It is apparent that it was a targeted attack on Hausas and
other Northerners.
“The attack also spread to the Lagos-Ojo Expressway, which
is not far from the market. Trailers belonging to Northerners were looted,
burnt down, and the drivers slaughtered.
“We were invited to Government House yesterday (Friday), and
two of us were delegated. Nothing was actually done to avert the crisis and
safeguard our lives.
“We have so far counted 10 bodies in the hospital. Over 70
people sustained gunshot injuries. 30 people, including my own brother, are
missing,” he added.
On Saturday, Governor Seyi Makinde imposed a curfew on the
area and shut the market indefinitely.
A statement by Taiwo Adisa, the spokesman for Governor Seyi
Makinde, indicated that the governor gave the order to forestall breakdown of
law and order in the area.
The curfew is to run from 6 p.m. to 7 a.m.
The statement warned residents of the affected area to go
about their legitimate businesses peacefully, stating that anyone caught
perpetrating violence will face the wrath of the law.
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