Ile-Ife Crisis: Muslim Group Calls for Unity Between Hausa, Yoruba

By Ayobami Agboola

The Supreme Council for Shariah in Nigeria (SCS) has called for unity and love between the northerners and Yorubas in the South-West.

According to the group, there was no ground for any communal clash in any part of the South-West, noting that all the ethnic groups in the region have been living peacefully for time immemorial.

The group stated this today – Tuesday while speaking with journalists at the Correspondents’ chapel, Osogbo on the communal clash between the Hausa and Yoruba communities in Ile-Ife.

Deputy President of the council, Sheik Abdur’Rasheed Adiyatulahi who led a delegation to the press conference said the Southwest zone of the council was deeply sad on the crisis that resorted to the loss of lives and properties, just as he strongly condemned it.

Adiyatulahi stated that the council would not relent in her effort to return peace and unity between the two communities in the ancient town, saying that the crisis was a regretted as Hausas and Yorubas had been living together as brothers in Ile-Ife.

He maintained that Yorubas are friends to all ethnic groups in the country, even as he cautioned them against using the security challenges in the North as an excuse to attack the northerners who have been peacefully living with them over the years.

The body equally assured the northerners that they are safe in any part of Yoruba land, calling on security agencies to increase their effort in providing adequate security for minority groups living within majority in cities across the country.

Adiyatulahi commended the proactive effort of Governor Rauf Aregbesola and the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi for their quick intervention on the crisis.