On Monday, tensions were high in Abeokuta, the capital of Ogun State, as residents clashed, resulting in the destruction of shops, stores and other businesses.
The chaos was given an ethnic tint because it was blamed on a disagreement between a Yoruba man an Hausa.
For hours, there were repeated gunshots, as residents scampered for safety.
It was gathered that the clash which started on Monday evening snowballed into a full-blown crisis by Tuesday morning with several shops razed and many injured.
Our sources say the crisis was ignited by a fight between a Yoruba man and a Hausa man.
The Hausa man was presumed dead, having sustained serious injuries, development sources said provoked the Hausa traders, who reportedly went on a rampage, destroying properties worth millions of Naira.
An eyewitness, who confirmed the incident, said the crisis took another turn when the Seriki Hausa (head of Hausa settlers), who was called to intervene in the crisis was seriously injured.
“The Seriki Hausa who was called upon to settle the issue was injured and this further worsened the crisis.
“The man is currently receiving treatment at the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Idi-Aba”, the source, who preferred anonymity, said.
The Ogun police spokesman, Abimbola Oyeyemi, confirmed the incident, saying the situation had been brought under control.
He said no life was lost, contrary to the report that a Hausa man was killed in the incident.
Oyeyemi added that the police had arrested several persons in connection to the crisis.
Ojelabi, the publisher of Freelanews, is an award winning and professionally trained mass communicator, who writes ruthlessly about pop culture, religion, politics and entertainment.
