There was chaos on Monday at the Hausa Market along the Benin – Warri road in Amukpe, Sapele as Hausa traders and Fulani herders engaged in bloody clashed.
No fewer than ten persons reportedly sustained varying degrees of injury and were rushed to different hospitals in the area.
RERO TV observed during a visit to the market how some of the wooden shops were destroyed and the police from the Sapele Police station led by CSP Harrison Nwaboisi dashed down in quick response to drowse tension and maintain peace and order.
The clash was said to have cause a massive gridlock with motorists close to the scene of the incident abandoning their vehicle and fleeing for their lives.
RERO TV, also gathered that the two groups started engaging in a battle last night after an Hausa boy from Nassarawa was stabbed in the bush and he came home with injuries.
Angered by the stabbing the hausas especially the ones from Nassarawa this morning mobilised and attacked the herdsmen settlements in the bush. The Fulanis were said to have fought back and that resulted in the battle that got even people who are not of northern origin running for their lives in the area.
The police was said to have prevented further damage after they learnt of the attack and quickly mobilised security into strategic places.
A trader, Ibrahim Umoru, said crisis erupted after an Hausa boy was stabbed by a Fulani man because he was found around their camp, “maybe he thought the boy came to steal from them, he did not ask why he was there.
“The matter came to us this morning and we can’t just can’t sit there and watch them attack us every time, we want to tell them we are not fools” he said.
A Fulani herdsmen, who did not identify himself, blamed the hausas for the clash, adding they are peace loving people.
The Delta State Police Public Relations Officer, Edafe Bright could not be reached on the issue as his numbers were not connecting but a security source who craved anonymity told Vanguard that though tension is still high, “we will make sure peace is restored, we are already engaging their leaders on the way forward”
