Olayomi Koiki
KADUNA, Nigeria – Many houses were reportedly destroyed and burnt down after some suspected Hausa hoodlums attacked a Yoruba community in Jushi Waje, opposite the Nigeria Army Deport Barracks, Sabon Gari, Zaria, Kaduna State, North-West Nigeria.
It was gathered that the crisis broke out on Sunday 29 September when a Hausa boy reportedly entered a woman’s house in the Yoruba community and was caught. The attack continued till Tuesday, 1 October.
The suspect who was caught was said to have been beaten by members of the community and died after he was taken to Sarkin’s palace.
An affected resident told investigative news outlet Sahara Reporters that: “The Hausa boy was caught stealing in a Yoruba woman’s house and was beaten even by same Hausa people on Sunday. He was later taken to Sarkin’s palace, the thief requested water to drink and it was one Hausa woman that gave him water.
“In the process, he gave up to the ghost, by 7pm, the Hausa youths mobilised in groups and started destroying Yoruba people’s properties. They burnt down houses and cars. Alhamdulilah, I saw death but trust Allah they only destroyed all my glass windows, I’m out of my home now, please continue to support me and my family with prayers.”
A second resident said the youths returned on Tuesday morning attacking people from other tribes.
“They are back destroying our properties and attacking us. See, most of these thieves are from Sarkin’s house and in the past, when these thieves were caught and taken to Sarkin’s house, they would immediately release them yesterday.
“One of my close boys who is a Hausa boy sent me a message late last night to leave my house as they would be coming to kill the Yoruba people and other tribes today.
“Yesterday, one of the Hausa boys stabbed one of our persons and owner of Adumas School while he was sending back his students home over the crisis. They handed the boy to the police but they have released him as we talk, please we all have left our homes because these Hausa boys are threatening to kill us all.”
Kaduna State Police Command’s spokesman ASP Mansir Hassan did not respond to several requests for comment.