Yoruba community orders Hausa scavengers to leave after Ojoo attack

By Adejayan Gbenga

The Yoruba community in the Ojoo area of Ibadan, Oyo State, has given Hausa scavengers a seven-day ultimatum to leave the area following a violent clash that left at least four people dead and heightened tension across the community.

The leader of the Yoruba community in Ojoo, Folagbade Azeez, disclosed the decision after a meeting with officials of the Oyo State Government, saying residents were assured that the scavengers would vacate the area within one week to restore peace and security.

While thanking the state government for its intervention, Azeez alleged that the scavengers were responsible for the violence that erupted in the area, claiming that gunshots were fired during the clash and that residents no longer felt safe.

The crisis, which began on Tuesday night, reportedly escalated after a commercial tricycle operator visited a Point of Sale operator to withdraw money. According to eyewitnesses, the rider insisted that the transaction had not reflected despite claims that the cash had already been handed over to him.

The tricycle operator reportedly left his phone and vehicle key with the POS operator as security while the transaction issue was being resolved. However, shortly afterwards, a group of suspected Hausa scavengers allegedly arrived at the scene and attacked him, stabbing him repeatedly until he died.

The killing sparked widespread outrage among traders and residents, with the violence spreading into Wednesday morning. Gunshots were reported in several parts of Ojoo, forcing businesses to close, while panic gripped the commercial district as residents fled for safety.

Eyewitnesses also claimed that a young boy who was on his way to buy noodles was struck by a stray bullet during the violence.

Confirming the incident, the Oyo State Government disclosed that four people were killed and several others injured during the incident. Meanwhile, the government assured residents that security agencies had been directed to restore normalcy, while those responsible for the violence would be arrested and prosecuted in accordance with the law.