Three persons reported dead in bitter Lagos ethnic spat as Hausas and Yorubas clash

THREE persons were shot dead yesterday during a shootout between hoodlums and some officers attached to the Federal Operations division of the Nigerian Customs Service in what appeared to be an ethnic clash between Yorubas and Hausas in Lagos.

 

At the brutal clash which took place at White Sand community in Ijora Badia area of Lagos State, one of the victims was a Customs officer, who sustained gunshot injuries. Trouble started following a clash between Hausa and Yoruba residents over accusations by the latter that the former had been terrorising the area.

 

Local resident, Tajudeen Shamsudeen, explained that a boy, identified as Ojo, said to be on his way home, was allegedly stabbed to death by some Hausa boys. This attack on Ojo, according to him, sparked a riot during which dangerous weapons were freely used by both parties.

 

Mr Shamsudeen said: “For long, these Hausa boys have been attacking people here as they waylay people, dispose them of cash and belongings. Even rulers of both ethnic groups are aware of the issue.”

 

But for the timely arrival of policemen from Ijora Badia, the situation would have assumed a more violent dimension. Following the arrival of the police, 10 persons were said to have been arrested in connection with the unrest.

 

Unconfirmed reports had it that the trouble started when some houses were demolished in the area on the order of the state government. However, the Hausa community alleged that the demolition was carried out in their places of abode only.

 

While the demolition was ongoing, some Custom officers, who residents alleged were invited by the Seriki Hausa, stormed the community in three patrol vehicles at about 2.30pm. They were alleged to have fired sporadically to scare off some hoodlums, who were roaming the area.

 

These hoodlums were said to have resisted the Customs men, who allegedly attempted to stop the demolition, an action that led to a shootout, during which three persons were felled by bullets. One of the bullets from the hoodlums hit a Customs officer, leading to the Customs men then fleeing the scene, heading towards Apapa.

 

Confirming the incident, the Lagos State Police Command spokesman Dolapo Badmus, said only one person died, while two others are recuperating in the hospital. She added that the community and the police were on a joint operation of raiding black spots within the community and arresting suspected criminals.