HOW ETHNIC CLASH BETWEEN YORUBA & HAUSA STARTED IN LAGOS

In the popular Mile 12 Area in Lagos, Nigeria, no fewer than 5 persons have been confirmed to have been killed and several cars vandalized with many injured from what started as a minor fracas on Wednesday March 2, 2016 that resulted into a major Yoruba & Hausa interethnic clash in Lagos, Nigeria.

The clash lasted for hours & scores of people were injured before the Nigerian Army and police restored peace to the area.

According to THISDAY the clash was caused by an Hausa motor cyclist who hit a female trader and attempted to flee to safety despite pressure by passers-by to take her to the hospital.

Encouraged by his fellow Northern motorcyclists who had by then besieged the scene, the bike rider allegedly refused to offer help insisting that the union of motor cyclists should do so.

The Okada rider was said to have reasoned that since the union was always quick to collect tolls from them, they should also take care of the hospital bills from the tax paid & accumulated.

Angered by the standoffish attitude of the riders, an argument ensured and later led to a fight after the Yoruba traders left only to regroup and come back.

Having regrouped, they invaded the market, chanting war songs as they allegedly attacked the Hausa traders, who were mostly at the area where tomatoes, beans and pepper are sold. 

In the process, several stalls were burnt, while three Hausa traders were said to have been killed.

The fight was said to have lasted all through Wednesday till Thursday when some thugs believed to be of Yoruba origin invaded the market & started attacking Hausa traders.

Information reaching Rave Desk is that the Lagos State Government has imposed an indefinite curfew on the area of the clash, pending the restoration of peace between the clashing communities.

The  Commissioner of Police in charge of Lagos state, Fatai Owoseni is reported to have led the operation by the security agents to restore peace in the area. While the Lagos Police Public Relations Officer, Assistant Superintendent of Police Dolapo Badmus has confirmed that:

"Right now, the police is restoring normalcy to area while the CP is engaging the market people and community leaders in a peace talk. Investigations are ongoing to unravel the root cause of the fracas".