Amnesty International Condemns Ibadan Clash, Calls For Investigation
International human rights organisation, Amnesty International, AI has called for an investigation into an ethnic clash in Ibadan, Oyo State, Southwest Nigeria.
Following the violent clash between Yoruba and Hausa communities in Ibadan, Oyo State capital, Southwest Nigeria, rights group Amnesty International has called for an independent investigation into the incident.
In a series of tweets on Sunday morning, the group condemned the attack and maintained that the perpetrators must be brought to book.
“We call on the Nigerian authorities to protect the lives and properties of every person in Nigeria wherever they reside. The government must take urgent steps to stop the escalation of violence,” Amnesty International said.
HumAngle reported that the clash had first erupted on Thursday at Shasha market in Akinyele Local Government Area of Ibadan when a pregnant woman and a cart pusher had a heated argument over waste disposal.
The cart pusher had allegedly assaulted the pregnant woman after she insisted that he must clear the waste he dumped in front of her store.
While trying to resolve the altercation between the two persons, a cobbler, Sakirundeen Adeola, popularly known as Korex, was reportedly punched by the pusher, causing him to collapse on the spot.
Residents said Adeola was confirmed dead on the way to the hospital on Thursday.
Following the death of Adeola, a full-scale clash that has left an unknown number of persons dead and left many homeless sparked off.
To forestall a further breakdown of law and order in the conflict area, Seyi Makinde, Governor of Oyo State, imposed a curfew in the place and ordered the market’s closure indefinitely.
Southwest Governors Call For Calm
Meanwhile, under the aegis of South-West Governors’ Forum, governors of the six Southwest states on Saturday evening called for calm in the state.
In a statement signed by the forum’s chairman and Ondo State Governor, Rotimi Akeredolu, the governors described the incident as an “unfortunate and avoidable orgy of violence”.
“As Governor of Ondo State who doubles as Chairman, South-West Governors’ Forum, it has become very compelling for me to address all residents, in particular, the Yoruba speaking people of our Region as regards recent happenings bordering on security,” the Forum Chairman said.
“We have been known for thoroughness. We have identified with legality over the centuries; our ethos as a civilised breed of people are such that we do not identify with lawlessness, not even illegality. We do not support violence and in particular, brigandage, jungle justice and unnecessary self-help.”
Speaking further, he urged indigenes of the region to remain law-abiding in the face of the rising insecurity noting that “our resolve in this direction is not a sign of weakness; it is indeed, the strongest of all”.
“We shall all survive these times and live peacefully, once again in our lands,” he added.
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