Oyo Ethnic Crisis: Hoodlums at Roadblocks Ask Passengers to Identify Themselves as Yoruba Before Passing

Random people are asking highway commuters to identify themselves as Yoruba before they can be granted throughfare, following the Hausa-Yoruba ethnic violence in Akinyele Local Government Area of Oyo State, which has resulted in the detah of no fewer than five people.

According to community residents who spoke to our reporter, the violence began on Thursday evening following an argument between a pregnant woman and a hired labourer inside Shasha market.

The pregnant woman, identified as Yoruba, reportedly asked the hired laborer, said to be Hausa, to carry some wares. The negotiation failed and it became violent, leading to the death of the woman.

Many people claimed that the Hausa man ran away.

In retaliation, hoodlums within the Akinyele metropolis took to the market and Moniya expressway in a bid to haunt down Hausa people plying the road.

While this reporter was travelling across Moniya, some hoodlums accosted his public vehicle, asking all passengers to identify the ethnic groups they belong to.

One of them particularly greeted the passengers in Yoruba, expecting a reverted salutation in same language. The driver vouched on behalf of his passengers before vehicular movement was allowed.

By the time this reporter reached Ojo roundabout, less than 5 kilometres away, he had counted five victims on the expressway.

One of the victims was set ablaze while others were brutally hacked. Only one victim was seen, at 2:30pm, to be sparingly moving his finger. However, he was seriously bleeding.

Soldiers were also seen at the scene of the event in an attempt to secure calm to the community.

Seyi Makinde, Oyo State governor, has declared curfew in Shasha, starting from 6pm and ending at 7 am.

Credit: FIJ. NG