Sapele —Residents of Sapele in the Sapele local government Area of Delta state have been thrown into a state of fear and tension.
This followed a bloody clash between Hausa traders and Fulani herdsmen at the popular Hausa Market along Benin-Warri road, Amukpe, around the metropolis on Monday.
According to Punch newspaper, no fewer than ten persons sustained varying degrees of injury in the ensuing chaos and were rushed to different hospitals in the area.
Some shops at the market were also destroyed in the clash which caused apprehension amongst people with many taking to their heels for safety.
The clash started when the two warring groups started engaging in a superiority battle on Sunday night after a Hausa boy from one of the Northern States was reportedly stabbed by a Fulani herder in the bush, and he rushed home with injuries.
In retaliation, the Hausas in the market, especially those of Nasarawa origin, were said to have hurriedly mobilised and attacked the Fulani herdsmen settlements in the bush. But the Fulanis reportedly fought back, allegedly with dangerous weapons.
The Police operatives from the Sapele Police station led by CSP Harrison Nwaboisi waded into the incident by mobilising security operatives to strategic locations to arrest the tension and prevent further damage.
An eye witness and a trader at the market, Ibrahim Umoru, speaking to newsmen said the crisis erupted after an Hausa boy was stabbed by a Fulani man because he was allegedly found around their camp.
“Maybe he (Fulani man) thought the boy came to steal from them. He did not ask why he (the boy) was there. The matter came to us this morning and we can’t just sit there and watch them attack us every time. We want to tell them we are not fools” the Hausa trader stated.
A Fulani herder who spoke to journalists under the condition of anonymity blamed the Hausas for the clash without further elaboration.
The acting Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Edafe Bright, could not be reached for comment on the incident as of the time of filing this report.
