One Peter Thomas, the chairman of Tiv community in Idasho town, Ibeju-Lekki Local Government Area of the state, is now cooling his heels in police net for leading thugs to attack some residents with machetes.
Two men identified as Azeez Lawal and David Friday, and a woman, Funmilayo Olanipekun, were reportedly injured in the clash.
The problem was said to have started when Lawal stopped a Tiv man from defecating at a corner around his shop, who resulted in a fight.
While the two had already been separated, the Tiv man was said to have reported the incident to Thomas, who allegedly led thugs to attack Lawal and his friends with machetes.
The four injured persons, including a woman, were rushed to Ibeju-Lekki General Hospital and a private hospital in the neighbourhood.
A resident of the community explained that, “The incident happened on Monday, May 27, 2019 when Lawal and his friends were chatting close to his shop. A Tiv man wanted to defecate around his shop. Lawal cautioned the man, but he was not willing to take heed.
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“They started arguing with each other and a fight ensued. They were separated and the matter was settled. Some minutes later, the Tiv chairman in the community and his kinsmen started going after Yoruba people with machetes. They injured Lawal and three other persons. The Tiv chairman has been arrested by the police. His accomplices are still at large.”
Also speaking, another resident, who identified himself as Akindele, said “The Tiv chairman led thugs to attack people around 10pm on that day. Many people were shocked because the matter between his kinsman and Lawal, who is Yoruba, had been settled,” he added.
The Police Public Relations Officer in the state, DSP Bala Elkana, who confirmed the incident, said the command had launched a manhunt for the fleeing suspects.
Elkana said, “One Chief Giwa reported to the police that there was a fracas at Idasho town and that some hoodlums were attacking people with machetes. A police team was mobilised to the scene to restore peace.
“Preliminary investigation revealed that a Tiv man, who was prevented from defecating where one Azeez Lawal and others sat down, went to one Peter Thomas, the acclaimed chairman of Tiv community in Idasho town, after the matter had been resolved.
“The chairman and some suspected thugs went on the rampage and inflicted injuries on Lawal and some residents, who sustained varying degrees of injury. The victims were taken to hospitals and the said Peter Thomas was arrested. Efforts are ongoing to arrest his accomplices.”