Crisis hits Hausa community over new Seriki in Igando, seven detained

Seven persons have been arrested and charged before the Magistrate court sitting in Ejigbo, Isolo-Oshodi Local Government Area of Lagos, for allegedly disrupting the coronation of one Abubaka Muhammed Geiro as Seriki of Igando land.
The suspects are Aliu Abdulkareem (30), Habib Rabiu (31), Aliu Bindawa (33) and 20-year-old Musa Sani.
Others include Mohammed Ali (30), Arisu Mohammed (29) and Babangida Mensarawa (20).
The suspects were alleged to have conspired among themselves to cause breach of public peace, by obstructing the chieftaincy coronation of Abubaka Muhammed Geiro as the new Seriki of Igando land.
The police also alleged the suspects did violently threatened Geiro with knives, charms and other dangerous weapons to disrupt the event held on 14th March, 2016.

It was gathered that trouble started after the late Seriki of Igando died and the position became vacant after which two contestants emerged for the position, namely, the late Seriki’s son, Alhaji Danjuma Alhassan and Alhaji Abubaka Geiro.

The tussle for the position led to the breaking up of the once peaceful community into factions, causing a lot of disquiet in the community.

Following the tension it generated, The Daily Times gathered that the  Hausa community in Lagos waded into the matter and summoned the warring parties to Surulere, Lagos where Alhaji Danjuma Alhassan was chosen and crowned as the new Seriki of Igando land.
The decision did not go down well with Geiro group and they contacted the Oba of Igando who also crowned him Seriki of Igando land.

Peace has since then eluded the Hausa community in Igando, Akesan and Badore areas of the state.
The crisis had been going on until the day the Oba of Igando decided to crown Geiro as Seriki.
The group belonging to Alhassan allegedly went and disrupted the event before the police intervened and restored peace in the area.
The suspects were arrested while other accomplices escaped.

When The Daily Times contacted the leader of the two groups, they both laid claim to the title.
Alhaji Alhassan after the burial of his late father, the Hausa community in Lagos State summoned all parties, including Geiro at Sururere where he was elected and crowned as Seriki of Igando land.
He said the confusion started after the Oba of Igando decided to crown Geiro against the wishes of the people and Hausa leaders in the state.

“It is the Hausa community leaders that decided and chose their king and not the Oba in line with Hausa tradition; it is also the Hausa community that should present such Seriki to the Oba, and not the other way around.
Geiro on his own part said it is the Oba that has right to install Seriki because the kingdom belongs to him.
“The Hausa community has no right to crown any person Seriki outside their land. The Oba was right in choosing me as Seriki in his land.”
Meanwhile, the suspects were remanded in prison custody pending when they will perfect their bail conditions.
The presiding Magistrate, Mrs J.O.E. Adeyemi granted the suspects bail in the sum of N100,000 each with two sureties in like sum.
The matter was adjourned till  April 11, 2016.

QUOTES

It is the Oba that has right to install Seriki because the kingdom belongs to him.
The Hausa community has no right to crown any person Seriki outside their land. The Oba was right in choosing me as Seriki in his land – Alhaji Geiro

After the burial of my late father, the Hausa community in Lagos State summoned all parties, including Geiro to Sururere where I was elected and crowned as Seriki of Igando land.
The confusion started after the Oba of Igando decided to crown Geiro against the wishes of the people and Hausa leaders in the state – Alhaji Alhassan
It is the Hausa community leaders that decided and chose their king and not the Oba in line with Hausa tradition; it is also the Hausa community that should present such Seriki to the Oba, and not the other way around.