Ile-Ife Crisis: Why Argument Turns Bloody Clash
By Shina Abubakar
The bloody clash between Hausa and Yoruba communities in Ile-Ife, which was said to as a result of an argument between two individuals, is beyond explanation, as investigation showed that the clash was as a result of bottled-up anger.
OSUN DEFENDER gathered that the argument that translated to the fracas was a daily occurrence in Ile-Ife, but the one in focus acted as a catalyst for the angry youths who have seen the Hausas as a competitor, rather than cohabiters.
It was gathered that some of the leaders of the host community have been worried with the spate of reports they received against the Hausas over their disposition to some of the women, who always approach the Hausas for help over their domestic needs.
Findings revealed that some of the women in the ancient town were of the habit of seeking help from the Hausas on the basis of paying back in kind, while some were accused of committing adultery with the Hausas for money, the scenario that had been giving the indigenes of the host community a serious concern.
It was gathered that so many women in Ile-Ife, especially those engaged in smaller trade in community where the Hausas are domiciled have fallen for pressure of having to sell their body to provide for the family, sometimes against the wish of the people.
Checks also showed that the Hausas, have over time attracted many young Yoruba ladies who preferred to date, or even marry a Hausa man against the Yoruba, whom they see as incapable to maintaining a family.
Another grievances against the northern settlers is that some of the children being taken care of actually belongs to the Hausas, whom, were alleged of having extra-marital affairs with wives of Yorubas.
It was also gathered that some successful northerners in the community have been buying properties from natives and becoming landlords, a situation that some youths, who believed the northerners are gradually taking over their legacy, were not comfortable with.
The argument that broke out between the two parties, according to a Hausa settler, Mallam Isiaku Yakub, is just a catalyst, as the irate youths seemed to have had bottled-up anger and are waiting to unleash mayhem on the Hausas in the town.
“We do have argument on a daily basis in the town, especially in the Sabo area, which is a commercial center, but this one is very surprising, because our peoples’ office were looted and foreign currency taken away”, he added.
A member of the Yoruba community, who pleaded anonymity, said, some of the youths feels threatened by the rising profile of the Hausa community, especially, as they are fast becoming landlords and property owners, saying, “some of these of youths contributed to the heist perpetrated against the northerners in the town.
