Ife Community Leaders Condemn Clash Between Hausa, Yoruba

The Ife Action Council, an umbrella body for the Ile-Ife indigenes has condemned the ethnic clash that occurred between the Yoruba and Hausa communities in the ancient city last week.

Addressing a press conference at the Oba Okunade Sijuade Memorial Hall, Enunwa, Ile-Ife today – Monday, March 13, 2017, the President of  the council, Comrade Lawrence Olajire Awoyoyin said the clash was nothing but an embarrassment and unfortunate.

According to Awoyoyin, the Ife leaders do not encourage but condemn in its entirety any form of ethnic clash, militancy and insurgency anywhere in Nigeria.

The press conference was attended by prominent Ife 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.

Awoyoyin said: “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.”

In response to questions from reporters, Awoyoyin said that  the Truth  and Reconciliation Committee consisting of the leaders of all the ethnic groups in Ile-Ife would meet tomorrow to unravel the root cause, prevent a re-occurrence and  compensate all those affected.

Assuring that the committee would do everything in its capacity to instill confidence in all ethnic groups in Ile-Ife, he said permanent peace would reign for all residents and visitors to Ile-Ife.

Madagali, Sheriki Hausawa, who was at the press conference, called for help for his subjects.

He said that a long relationship that has existed between them would remain as he prayed that such willful attack and damage would not reoccur again.