Tension in Lagos community as Yoruba, Hausa clash

 There was palpable tension at the Igando area of Lagos State, following a clash between Yoruba and Hausa speaking people.

 According to eye witnesses, fight was said to have broken out between Hausa and Yoruba people at the Akesan Igando of Lagos State, after a driver rammed into a truck pusher and refused to take him to hospital.

The  eyewitness ,  who introduced himself as Isah, an executive member of the Motorcycles  Riders Association in the area, explained that a vehicle hit a Hausa truck pusher and allegedly refused to take him to hospital. Other Hausa people in the area, had insisted that the driver should take the man to hospital, but he still maintained his stance.

When some Yoruba people in the area discovered that the driver speaks same language with them, they allegedly joined forces with him. They discouraged him from taking the victim to hospital.

Isah said: “There was huge argument, leading to a fight. But thank God policemen were able to intervene. If not for police intervention, there would have been bloodbath. Even, I’m not sure if the Hausa  people wouldn’t come back for attack. It was clear they were not happy with the  intervention of the police. The wounded truck pusher was not taken to hospital, rather, he was taken to police station.”

Another eyewitness, Mr. Kingsley Obinna, a motorcycle spare parts dealer, said that he and other traders hurriedly shut down shops fearful because, “ Hausa people hardly forgive whenever their person is maltreated.”

He added: “ It’s very possible that the Hausa people left to mobilize. They may return for retaliation. The driver is a Yoruba man; other Yoruba people prevented him from taking the truck pusher to hospital.  There was a big argument and before we knew what happening, there were bottles and weapons everywhere.”

Another shop owner, who refused to give him name, said that, the Hausa people, while leaving the scene after police intervention, threatened to embark on revenge mission. The said that the driver, who knocked down the truck pusher, also threatened to return with members of his union.

He noted: “It was better for traders and residents in the area to keep away for some weeks because nobody knows what may happen next.”

When our correspondent visited the scene, a Nissan coaster bus, with registration number, MUS 820 XQI, was seen. However, the bus’s windscreen had been shattered.