The Ekiti State Governor, Mr Ayodele Fayose has reacted to the recent crisis which befell Ile-Ife in Osun state following the clash between Hausa and Yoruba traders in Sabo Market.
Recall that the clash which occurred some weeks ago led to the death of more than 40 people.
In reaction to the crisis, the Ekiti state governor advised the Police to be careful with its investigation adding that “it appears that the police has so far demonstrated ethnic bias in its investigation and this is not good for the unity of Nigeria and its people.”
Ayodele Fayose who condemned the clash which led to the death of several persons and destruction of properties, Fayose said: “whether committed by Yoruba, Ibo, Hausa or any tribe, crime is crime and it must be treated as such. However, handling of crime must be without ethnic bias.”
He continued that: “In a clash involving the people of Ile-Ife, who are Yorubas and Hausa, who are settlers in the ancient town, only Yorubas were arrested, taken to Abuja and paraded before the press.”
The Ekiti state governor’s stand was made known in a statement issued by his Special Assistant on Public Communications and New Media in Ado Ekiti on Thursday.
Fayose noted that the mayhem which led to the death of several persons was unfortunate, he added that the police can in no way convince the public that only the paraded 20 Yoruba were involved in the crisis.
He added: “If there was a clash between Yoruba people and Hausas in Ile-Ife, are the police now saying that only the Yorubas took part in the crisis?
“Both Yorubas and Hausa were attacked. Properties belonging to both Yorubas and Hausas were destroyed. Are the police sayings that those 20 Yorubas that they paraded in Abuja were the ones who attacked the Yoruba people that were also victims of the crisis and destroyed those houses belonging to the indigenes of Ile-Ife that were destroyed?
“In my own opinion, the investigation so far conducted by the police was done with ethnic bias and I demand for thorough investigation that is devoid of ethnic sentiments.
“Also, to prevent future reoccurrence of such crisis, I call on the Osun State Government to set up a judicial panel of inquiry to ascertain the remote and immediate causes of the crisis, as well as identify the masterminds of the crisis.
“Most importantly, security agencies in the country must treat all crimes as the same, irrespective of those perpetrating them. As it appears, crimes committed by Fulani herdsmen against other Nigerians are not being treated as crimes that should be given attention by the security agencies and this is worrisome.”