Ife Crisis: Normalcy returns as warring
factions sue for peace

Leaders of both Yoruba, Hausa and Igbo
indigenes residing in Ile-Ife, Osun State, on
Monday, called for an end to ethnic clashes
in the ancient city.
They spoke at a news conference organised
by the Ife Progressive Forum/Action
Council in Ile-Ife.
The Seriki Hausawa of Ife, Alhaji Abubakar
Madagali, said the disturbance which
momentarily eroded the peace of the
ancient city was unnecessary.
Madagali said many of his subjects
suffered colossal losses, adding that some
had died and many more sustained
injuries.
The leader of the Hausa community said
authorities concerned must step up efforts
to resolve the crisis without delay.
He added that “we initially came here to
seek for greener pastures, but Ife has now
become our home.
“It latest crisis was not a clash between us
and the Yorubas, instead, it was a
misunderstanding between some persons
which escalated.
“All we are saying now is for us to
embrace peace and continue to live
together.
“I want to assure the Ile-Ife public that the
Hausa community is not planning any
retaliation. We view the incident as a
misfortune ordained by Allah.”
On his part, Mr Lawrence Awowoyin, the
President of Ife Progressive Forum/Action
Council, said the crisis was masterminded
by hoodlums.
According to him, a committee has been
set up to look into the root cause of the
crisis with a view to finding a lasting
solution.
He said the crisis had either political or
ethnic colouration, but hinged on land
dispute between a Yoruba family and
Hausa community.
“We all regret the unfortunate clash
between certain individuals around Sabo
area of Ile-Ife, which led to loss of lives
and property.
“The love of Ife people toward all ethnic
groups from time immemorial is not in
doubt.
“The crisis was an offshoot of
misunderstanding between two individuals
at Sabo area of Ile-Ife. This
misunderstanding was unfortunately
hijacked by hoodlums in the area.
“It is unthinkable for anyone to think that
the fracas was ignited by Ife community.
We coexisted with Hausas, Igbos and other
ethnic groups for decades without
discrimination.”
He, therefore, urged security agents to be
fair and objective in handling the issue to
eliminate the looming tension.
He said “we condemn in its entirety any
form of ethnic clash, militancy and
insurgency anywhere in Nigeria and in Ife
land in particular.
“It is our position that we are all creatures
of Almighty God, hence, we are all citizens
of the world and we abhor bloodshed in all
ramifications.
“We sympathise with victims from both
sides. It is a known fact that both Yoruba
and the Arewa community suffered colossal
losses and deaths from the crisis.”
The Ezendigbo of Ireland, His Highness
Chief Ezekeil Onyejekwe, who was in Ife,
urged the warring parties to eschew
bitterness and live together in one accord.
He said the incident was unfortunate,
adding that it was the first time such an
ugly disturbance would occur in the ancient
city. `
There was a bloody clash between the
Hausa community and the Yorubas in Ile-
Ife, Osun State on March 8, where lives
were lost and property worth millions of
naira were destroyed.
Although the ugly incident was immediately
contained by Osun State security
operatives, tension was said to be high in
the city.
Meanwhile, the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye
Ogunwusi, had inaugurated a truth and
reconciliation committee to ensure peace
between the Hausa community and
Yorubas in the ancient city.
Oba Ogunwusi inaugurated the committee
in his palace on Saturday in Ile-Ife, Osun.
The Ooni described members of the Hausa
community in Ile-Ife as his subjects and
co-owners of the town with whom he
enjoyed tremendous loyalty in the last 14
months of his reign.
He said “thank God for the normalcy; I
commend Gov. Rauf Aregbesola, for being
proactive and the security agents for their
efforts toward ending the crisis.’’
The royal father condemned the actions of
those behind the fracas and expressed
optimism that they would soon be
apprehended and made to face the full
wrath of the law.

source: www.vanguardngr.com/2017/03/ife-crisis-normalcy-returns-warring-factions-sue-peace/