One person has been killed and several others injured in a communal
clash that broke out Sunday, at a popular slum, Oko-Baba, Ebute-Meta,
area of Lagos,ย between the Hausa community and members of the Oodua
Peoples Congress, OPC.
Fire had razed the area on Friday.
The violent clash erupted at the area in the early hours of Sunday,
between a group of truck pushers who specialized in scraps business,
mainly, Hausa and some Odua Peopleโs Congress, OPC.
Men of the Denton Police Station, Lagos State Command, who raced to
the scene of the clash later restored peace and normalcy to the area.
Leader Hausa Youth, Oko-Baba, Hassan Ibrahim,ย who spoke on the clash
said, โWe lost one of our members during a fracas with some people who
claimed to be OPC. Trouble started when some of our men went to buy
scraps from the burnt shanties and while on their way back they were
intercepted and harassed by some miscreants and OPC demanding for
money before they could go with the scrap materials which our members
resisted.
โIn the process, fight broke-out. One was shot in the head and others
who sustained injuries are currently receiving treatment at the Ebute
Meta Health Centre. We are just making preparation on how to bury the
deceased today. We are not happy about this but with total submission
to God, we are ready to maintain the peace on the interest of the
general public.โ
Also speaking on behalf of fire victims, Alhaji Abdulhakeem Mohammed,
appealed for governmentโs assistance as the people are really poor
group.
โWe are happy that the Governor has sent representatives to have on
the spot assessment. Initially our fear was you were going to send us
packing from here but with your assurance, we are hopeful. All we need
is government compensation. The people living here about 500 families
are masses who can barely afford three square meal. We have no where
to go,โ he said.
