Ife Communal Clash: 20 suspects arrested as Aregbesola, Kwankwaso Visit Ife

No fewer than 20 suspects have been arrested for alleged complicity in the communal clash between the Arewa and Yoruba communities in Ile-Ife.

The arrested suspects who are majorly Yorubas are currently cooling their legs at the police custody.

Governor Rauf Aregbesola made the disclosure at a visit to the Sabo area in Ife where the clash occurred with former governor of Kano State, Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso.

Aregbesola said the suspects will be punished, just as he urged the Seriki Hausa, Alhaji Mamuda Mandagali not to abhor the ‘Hausa hoodlums’ who were allegedly involved in the crisis.

According to the governor, by coming together to fish out the perpetrators from both ends, the cause of the clash will be unraveled and justice will be served.

Kwankwaso had visited Aregbesola at his office around 9pm on Monday to discuss the Ile-Ife crisis before visiting the ancient city alongside Senator Babajide Omoworare.

Both Aregbesola and Kwankwaso cautioned the media against reports that could jeopardise the peace of the country.

Aregbesola said what happened was accidental as Osun people are peace loving and accommodating.

He noted that the Yoruba may fight one another but they are always protective of and friendly with their visitors.

According to Aregbesola, Yoruba and Hausa did not engage in any fight but the crisis was caused by miscreants from both sides of the divide.

“What caused the crisis was a minor disagreement. We are afraid that those who want to cause chaos in the country might be behind this crisis

“If you look around you will find out that enemies of peace are at work and they are few”, he said.

Kwankwaso described as rumours reports that Hausa people in Ife have been migrating from the state.

He said commentators should be careful with reports on both conventional and social media so as not to spark another crisis in other parts of the country.

The Senator said: “I want to appeal to our reporters to be mindful of how they report the crisis so that it won’t lead to a reprisal attack in other parts of the country.

“We should be mindful of what we write and use on our conventional media and social media as well, we need some sense of responsibility from our media houses.

“We are not saying you should not do your job, but you should know that you also have a responsibility of maintaining peace in our society,” he said.

“I am using this opportunity to appeal to the Hausa community in Ife and around Osun to embrace peace and continue to live together in unity with their Yoruba hosts. Wherever you find yourself is your home and you should ensure it is peaceful.”