Ife crisis: It’s not a clash, we were attacked, Hausas head cries

The Sheriki Hausawa of Ife, Alhaji Abubakar Madagali, has alleged that there was no clash in Ile-Ife but an attack on Hausa indigenes by Yorubas.

He said this at a press conference organised by the Ife Progressive Forum/ Action Council on Monday in Ile-Ife.

The Sheriki explained that many of his followers had their houses razed, properties damaged, secured injuries and even lost their lives.

The Hausa head in Ile-Ife, who cried while responding to questions from journalists, said, “The Hausas are peace lovers, the people that left are those that came here to seek greener pastures initially not those that sees this place as their homes. It is not a clash between us and the Yorubas. We were attacked, our houses were razed. We are highly devastated. There is no need to look for the root of the crisis again. All we want is peace.”

He, however, assured that his members would not retaliate, noting that they see their misfortune as ordained by Allah (God).

He added, “We believe that everything that happened to us has been ordained. We hope that this kind of incidence will not happen again in Ile-Ife and Nigeria as a whole. Even when we travel (to the North) to visit our people, they ask us when are we going back home (Ile-Ife). We have been attacked but we are not going to retaliate.”

On his part, President of Ife Progressive Forum/ Action Council, Comrade Lawrence Awowoyin, argued that the crisis was masterminded by hoodlums.

According to him, a committee has been set-up to look into the root of the crisis and find a lasting solution to it.

He clarified that there was no political undertone to the crisis but land matters between a Yoruba family and Hausa community.

He said, “It is in view of the above, the entire citizenry of Ife-land wish to express our abhorrence to the unfortunate clash between certain individuals around Sabo around Sabo area of Ile-Ife which led to loss of lives and property. The love of Ife people towards all ethnic groups from time immemorial is not in doubt.

“The crisis was an offshoot of a misunderstanding between two individuals at Sabo area of Ile-Ife. The misunderstanding was unfortunately hijacked by hoodlums in the area.

“In view of this, the fracas did not emanate from Ife community but was masterminded by hoodlums from the two aggrieved individuals.”

He appealled to security agents to be fair and objective in handling the issues at hand so as not to aggravate the existing tension in Ife- Land.

He added, “We condemn in its entirety any form of ethnic clash, militancy and insurgency anywhere in Nigeria. It is our position that we are all creatures of Almighty God, hence we are all citizens of the world and we abhor bloodletting in all ramifications.

“We sympathize with the victims from both sides. It is a known fact that both Yoruba and Arewa were victims of the fracas. We therefore condemn in strong terms the over zealousness of some security agencies and indiscriminate arrest of people regarding the crisis.”

On his part, Ezendigbo of Ireland, His Highness Ezekeil Onyejekwe, appealed for peace to reign.

He said that the incident was unfortunate, adding this was the first time such would occur.