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Hausa, Fulani clash in Lagos leaves 3 dead (Photos)

Published

8 years ago

September 8, 2016

Hausa, Fulani clash in Lagos leaves 3 dead (Photos)

Tragedy struck at the Abattoir located in the Agege area of Lagos as no less than three people lost their lives and 20 others reportedly sustained varying degrees of injury following a clash between Hausa and Fulani traders

Reports say an argument ensued between the two groups after the Nigeria Railway Corporation demolished a number of shanties and shops erected around the railway line as the Hausa’s blamed the Fulani’s for encouraging government to demolish the structures to facilitate easy rail transportation of their cows to the abattoir from the northern part of the country.

Trouble however started according to an eyewitness when a Hausa woman was reportedly assaulted by a Fulani man, who had bought food from her and refused to pay for what he ordered.

“The Hausa are majorly scrap collectors, and they ply their trade around the railway line where they also built their shanties.” The witness said.

Continuing, he added; “On Saturday, the government demolished their shanties and shops and many of them were displaced and lost their means of livelihood. They felt that their Fulani brothers, who deal in cattle, were behind what happened to them.

“The matter came to a head on Tuesday after a Fulani man bought food from a Hausa woman, and refused to pay. There was argument between them and the man assaulted the girl. That was how the two tribes started fighting each other.

“Around 1am on Wednesday, some of the Fulani youths invaded the apartments of the Hausa and killed some of them.

“By 5am, the Hausa launched a reprisal and injured many of the Fulani and destroyed their property. The Hausa suffered higher casualties.”

An unidentified trader heaped blame on the cattle dealers declaring that they are an intolerant lot.

“The Fulani in the market are not tolerant. Any little disagreement, they would start threatening mayhem. The government should be proactive because the Hausa have vowed to avenge their slain brothers. The battle is always at night when people have gone to bed. We are not safe,” he added.

Another Hausa man who did not identify himself said; “We lost three of our people. We won’t say more than that. At the right time, we will call the press,”

But according the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Dolapo Badmos, who made a statement following the incident, one person was killed following the fracas.

“At about 1am today, we received a distress call that there was a serious fight between the Hausa and the Fulani communities in the Abattoir.” She said.

Continuing, Dolapo added that; “The report indicated that the crisis started after a young Hausa woman was beaten by a Fulani man.

“It degenerated into serious fight and subsequent destruction of property.

“The command’s operatives from Area G, RRS and Abattoir division were moved in to quell the crisis and normalcy has been returned to the area”, she said.

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