After the Yoruba and Hausa clash that ensued at Fagba, the community leaders of both parties have pledged to put the ugly incidents of the past week behind and promote peaceful co-existence in Ifako-Ijaiye/Ojokoro and its environs.
The community leaders stated this at a people’s peace forum organised by the Commander of the 9th Brigade of the Nigerian Army, for community leaders of the two local governments at the Ifako-Ijaiye Local Government Area office.
The 9th Brigade Commander Maj-Gen. Mohammed A. Etsu-Ndagi said the Brigade came up with the forum as part of its civic engagement initiatives aimed at promoting peace and peaceful co-existence among all Nigerians irrespective of race or tribe.
The Commander who was represented by Col Ibrahim Umar said “We are here to tell you that the military high authorities are concerned about the threat to peace here at Fagba between the host Yoruba community and Hausas in the past week and we are determined to work with everyone to put this to check. We would therefore urge everyone intent to foment trouble to stop forthwith and warn parents and guardians to warn their children to be weary of the friends they keep.”
A youth representative of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ojokoro LCDA, Sola Agbayewa said the youths of the two communities must be applauded for their role in suppressing the violence in the area.
While the Chairman Fagba Community Development Association (CDA), Femi Agbalajobi commended the state government and the two council chairmen for the resolution and ensuring the return of peace to the Fagba area.
On the other hand, the Ifako-Ijaiye CDC Chairman, Pastor Samuel Opajobi was of the notion that the itinerant Hausa elements brought about the violence and not those at the Abattoir adding that scrap dealers, wheelbarrow and cart pushers as well as okada operators were among the Hausas who caused the chaos.
He however urged the government to speed up efforts in proffering solution in order to prevent a recurrence.
