There has been tension in Lara, Igbe community, in the
Ikorodu area of Lagos State after some Hausa thugs allegedly
slaughtered a 33-year-old resident, Shola Olaide, during an
argument.
We learnt that after the killing, which occurred at
about 8pm last Sunday, angry youths went on the rampage
threatening to kill all northerners in the area, which made
Hausa to flee the community.
Our correspondent gathered that Olaide, who was a meat
seller, had gone to a shop owned by a Hausa man in company
with a friend, identified simply as Biggy, to buy an item.
It was learnt that Olaide, an indigene of Igboora, Oyo State,
had met some Hausa men standing at the entrance of the
shop, and reportedly asked them to give way.
An argument was said to have ensued between them during
which the trader and his friends allegedly dragged Olaide to
the back of the shop, and slaughtered him.
The landlord of the house along with other residents were said
to have rushed Olaide to a hospital in the area where he later
died.
PUNCH Metro learnt that angry youths immediately started
going round shops and houses where northerners were
staying, threatening to avenge Olaide’s death.
The Hausa people living in the area were said to have fled the
community that night and the following morning.
It was learnt that the matter was reported at the Area N
Command, Ijede, while policemen had deposited the corpse in
a mortuary.
When our correspondent visited the area on Wednesday, it
was noted that some sheds used by Hausa traders had been
razed.
On Alagemo Street where the deceased lived, a neighbour, Mrs
Taiwo Akanda, said Olaide was planning to visit his sick
parents in Oyo State when he was killed.
She added that since Sunday, all the Hausa in the area had
fled as youths vowed to avenge Olaide’s death. She said the
deceased was a jovial man, and the Hausa assailants might
have misinterpreted him.
She said, “Brother Shola (Olaide) was a meat seller, and he
was a very jovial man. On that Sunday, he left house at about
7.30pm, and told his wife that he was going to buy an item in
Lara.
“When he got to the shop, some Hausa men were hanging
around the shop. So, he asked them to give way. They got
angry, and there was an argument, during which they dragged
him away and murdered him.
“Initially, the residents that were around tried to save him.But
by the time they rushed him to a hospital, he had died. His
wife sells food, and theirs used to be a happy family. This is
not the first time some Hausa thugs will attack people in this
place. That is why the residents are angry with them on this
incident.”
Another resident, identified only as Ogunleye, said the
government should look into the uncontrolled attacks by the
Hausas in the area.
“We do not want them in this community if they cannot learn
to live in peace. Enough is enough. Now, they have thrown a
happy family into mourning. The man still has parents, who he
had planned to visit,” he added.
The uncle of the deceased, identified only as Onimole, said
Olaide’s wife, Rasheedat, and their three children had been
taken to a house in Ikorodu.
He said, “The family is still young. The eldest of their three
children is in Junior Secondary School 1, and the family needs
assistance. Olaide’s death was a shock to the family.”
Our correspondent gathered that the police in Ijede had yet to
arrest any of the suspected killers.
The Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Kenneth
Nwosu, confirmed the incident. He added that investigations
were ongoing.
He said, “The matter was reported to the police by the
landlord, one Niniola.
“The victim was rushed to a hospital in the area where he
later died. Meanwhile, investigations are ongoing on the
matter.”