No fewer than three persons were reportedly killed on Wednesday following a violent clash between Hausa and Yoruba groups in the Ojoo area of Ibadan, Oyo State.
The violence, which threw the community into panic, was said to have started after an argument between Hausa-Fulani scavengers, popularly known as “Bowler Boys,” and Yoruba traders escalated into a bloody confrontation.
Residents said the clash quickly spread across parts of the Ojoo axis, forcing traders to shut their businesses while commuters fled the area for safety.
Eyewitnesses alleged that three people lost their lives during the violence, although the identities of the victims had yet to be officially confirmed as of the time of filing this report.
Some residents attributed the recurring tension in the area to the activities of scavengers, alleging that their presence has sparked frequent disputes with traders and members of the host community.
Security operatives, including personnel of the Nigeria Police Force and the Oyo State Security Network Agency (Amotekun Corps), were deployed to the area to restore normalcy and prevent further violence.
As of press time, security patrols had been intensified around the Ojoo Terminal and adjoining communities, while many residents and business owners remained on edge.
The Oyo State Police Command had yet to issue an official statement on the incident.
Meanwhile, residents have appealed to the state government, security agencies and community leaders to urgently intervene and address the underlying causes of the recurring clashes to prevent further loss of lives and property.
