Hausa, Yoruba Clash: Ife Community Leaders Condemn Ethnic Crisis

Hausa, Yoruba Clash: Ife Community Leaders Condemn Ethnic Crisis

The umbrella organization for Ile-Ife, Ife Action Council and ethnic leaders have jointly condemned the between the Yoruba and Hausa communities in the ancient town last week.
Addressing a press conference at Ile-Ife yesterday, the President of  Ife Progressive Forum/Ife Action Council, Comrade Lawrence Olajire Awoyoyin flanked by the Sheriki Hausawa in Ife, Alhaji Abubakar Madagali, regretted that the fracas was masterminded by hoodlums.
According to him, “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.
“It is in view of the above, the entire citizenry of Ifeland wish to express our abhorrence to the unfortunate clash between certain individuals around Sabo area of Ile-Ife which led to loss of lives and  property.
‘The love of the 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.”
Also speaking, the Sheriki Hausawa in Ife, Alhaji Abubakar Madagali, noted that Ile-Ife is their home adding that even whenever they paid their people in the North a visit, his people will continue to ask when they would go back.
He appealed to well meaning Nigerians to come to their aid as many of them have lost their means of livelihood to what he described as attack and not clash.
He said that a long relationship that has existed between them would remain as he prayed that such willful attack and damage would not re-occur again.
In their brief remarks, community leaders like Obalufe of Ife, Oba Idowu Adediwura;, Jaran of Ife, High  Chief Adekola Adeyeye, Prof. Muib Opeloye, Engr. Bashir Ishola Awotorebo, Barr. Gbenga Omiwole also had in attendance Sheriki Hausawa of Ife, Alhaji Abubakar Mamuda Madagali, Okobarho of Urhobo Ifeland, High Chief Akpomedoye David, Ezendigbo iIfeland, His Highness Ezekiel Chinedu Onyejekwe condemned the clash