Seven people are feared to have died on Tuesday, August 3, after a fight broke out between some Hausa and Yoruba motorcycle riders in Ogun State.
The violence started between the Okada riders and the union leaders.
Union leaders had increased the ticket fee from N600 to N800 and okada riders operating at the Factory junction at Ibese, Yewa North Local Government Area, objected to the hike.
This quickly degenerated into an ethnic crisis between the Hausas and the Yorubas in the area.
Residents of the area told Punch that between Monday and Tuesday evening, seven persons were killed in the crisis.
The residents said over 12 motorcycles were burnt, just as the locals intercepted Dangote trucks and used them to barricade the road to stop movement in the area.
“The crisis, which started on Monday over tickets, snowballed into an ethnic clash between Yoruba and Hausa Okada riders. More than 12 motorcycles belonging to both Yoruba and Hausa were burnt.
“Two people died on Monday. Some military men were mobilized to restore sanity, but this morning (Tuesday), the clash continued.
The Ogun State Police Command has confirmed the incident. Speaking, the Police Public Relations Officer, Abimbola Oyeyemi, said that he could not confirm the number of casualties.
Oyeyemi said, “The issue is currently under control. It was a minor struggle that had snowballed into a serious crisis.
“They said the unions increased their ticket fee from N600 to N800 and that was how the crisis started. But how it then turned into Hausa and Yoruba crisis is what I don’t know.
“But, we are on top of the matter. The situation has been brought under control. Our men are still there as we speak.”