Traders, landlords count losses over Ife crisis

Traders and landlords, whose shops and houses were razed during Wednesday’s violent clash between Hausa and Yoruba residents of the ancient city of Ile-Ife have called on government, corporate bodies and wealthy Nigerians to come their aid.

Sources informed Sunday Tribune that properties and other valuables lost to the crisis may amount to several millions of naira as several burnt shops could be seen  in Sabo area, which is the epicentre of the hostilities.

The mayhem, which reportedly resulted in the gruesome murder of more than 10 people, led to the destruction of more than 200 shops, lock up stores and about 25 buildings by suspected arsonists during the clash.

Some of the affected victims, who spoke to Sunday Tribune, called on all tiers of government, corporate organisations and wealthy Nigerians to assist them in starting a new life, lamenting that they have lost all their possessions to the crisis.

Investigation revealed that some the items burnt and looted while the crisis lasted included bundles of used cloths, foodstuffs, such as rice, beans, millet, provisions and beverages, among others.

One of the traders at Sabo market, who lost her shops to the incident, Mrs Adejoke Elufidiya said “I sell provisions, such as milk, different brands of tea, drinks and fruit juices. All of them are gone as my two shops were burnt during the fracas”.

According to her, “we never envisaged this kind of clash. We have been in harmonious relationship with the Hausa traders in this market for decades and there has never been any problem until the sad incident of Wednesday, which had ruined our businesses.

“We are appealing to the government to help us. We have lost all we have to the crisis. Where do we start from now? Except government and other kind-hearted Nigerians come to our aid, it will be very difficult to resuscitate our businesses again. We need urgent intervention from the government,” Elufidiya pleaded.

Another trader, Mr Tajudeen Akinola, who sells electrical appliances  also implored the Osun State government to work out measures aimed at ameliorating the losses incurred by both Yoruba and Hausa traders during the crisis.

“I cannot really estimate what I lost in concrete financial terms. But, I know that it cannot be less than N2 million because I could not evacuate anything when the enraged boys began to set all the shops along our line ablaze,” he said.

However, as of the time of filing this report, sterm looking security men were still patrolling, while two Armoured Personnel Carriers (APCs) were permanently stationed at Mayfair and Sabo areas to boost security.

Police probe panel arrives

Meanwhile, the probe panel set up by the Inspector General of Police, Abubakar Idris, arrived   in Osun on Saturday

The State Police Command’s Public Relations Officer, Mrs. Folasade Odoro, confirmed the arrival of the Hammed Bello – led panel  to newsmen in Osogbo.

News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Idris had appointed Bello, Commissioner in charge of Military Police at the Force Headquarters, to head the panel.

The panel is to look into the immediate and remote causes of the clash and submit its findings to the police authorities for appropriate action to prevent future occurrence of the incident.

The team is expected to visit leaders of the ethnic groups involved in the conflict as well as pay courtesy visit on the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi and other stakeholders in the city.

Odoro told newsmen that apart from investigating the cause of the conflict, the panel would also work out how to ensure cordial relationship between the groups in conflict.

She said detectives were still on the trail of some suspected culprits, adding that 10 persons had been arrested and were assisting the police in their investigation.

According to her, relative peace has returned to the city, with anti-riot policemen and other security operatives fully on ground to ensure that there is no breach of the peace.

Omisore lauds Ooni Former deputy governor of Osun State, Senator Iyiola Omisore, on Saturday, praised the quick intervention of the Ooni of Ife, Oba Enitan Ogunwusi, in last Wednesday‘s clash, commending the monarch for his fatherly roles.

Omisore, in a statement made available to newsmen by his media office, emphasised the timely intervention of Ooni Ogunwusi in ensuring that the clash did not go out of control, saying he should be lauded by all and sundry.

The former lawmaker also charged all and sundry in Ifeland and beyond to join hands with the Ooni, the Osun State government and the security agencies in ensuring that total peace returns to the domain.

This was just as he reiterated the call for the Hausa and Yoruba people to continue living in peace and harmony, saying, “we should learn to live in peace and harmony with our neighbours in Ife. There is a lot to gain in living in peace and love rather than in disharmony.”