Police avert ethnic clash in Lagos
Olalekan Olabulo, Lagos - 05.08.2009

THERE was pandemonium on Tuesday morning in Agege area of Lagos State as a man was stabbed to death in an argument that almost degenerated into a serious ethnic clash between the Hausa and Yoruba rresidents of the area.

The timely intervention of policemen from different police formations in the state however, prevented what would have been a full blown clash between the two ethnic groups in the state.

The Nigerian Tribune gathered that the incident started around 8 15 am at Oniwaya area of Agege, when an Hausa cart pusher attempted to dispose the contents of his refuse cart in the area.

The attempt was reportedly opposed by a young Yoruba miscreant, who stood his ground that the cart pusher must go elsewhere to dump the refuse.

The Nigerian Tribune further gathered that the incident gradually developed from a fierce argument to a fisticuff that resulted in the Hausa cart pusher stabbing the Yoruba boy with a dagger.

The stabbed Yoruba boy was immediately rushed to a nearby hospital, where he reportedly died, even before he could be treated.

The death of the Yoruba boy reportedly sparked off protest from residents of Capitol area of Oniwaya as they mobilised and mobbed the cart pusher.

The angry crowd was about to lynch the cart pusher when a team of policemen raced to the scene and rescued the suspect as arguments and minor clashes stated between several Hausa and Yoruba groups.

The image maker in charge of the State Police Command, Frank Mba, while confirming the death of the victim, whom he identified as Segun, to the Nigerian Tribune, described the incident, as a minor clash between two adults.

The area boy (alaye) met his match. He must have been demanding for 'roger' thinking that he could intimidate the arewa guy.