IFE MASSARCE: MATTERS ARISING

By: Ayoola Imran | Oyo State

The ethnic clashes that occurred in Ile - Ife on Wednesday, 8 March, 2017 between the Yorubas and Hausas is worrisome and quite unfortunate. Ethnic clashes have become one of the major threats to our society. Nigeria has become a modern Hobbesian state where human life is valueless and unsecured. A famous Nigerian Musician

named Timaya once stated in his music that, 'Every day for Nigeria na so some people dey die o.' There are many miscreants that can send one to the early grave prematurely; Boko Haram and their suicide bombers, armed robbers, herdsmen and angry mob.

As of last year 2016, the clash was between Agatus, Southern Kadunas and the unidentified herdsmen. Unfortunately, another violence that broke out this year was between Ifes and the Hausas, herdsmen with the Gbokos and Burukus. Hypocrisy is our problem, we feel provoked and our pens bleed whenever our kinsmen are tortured while we keep mum when others outside our domain are maimed or killed.

Herdsmen have been terrorizing fellow Nigerians but we give less attention to that while the Ife massacre have generated hullabaloo on the social media. However, social media plays a significant role in our society while on the other hand; it has become a major source of insensitive report and a threat to jeopardize the national security.

THISDAY investigation revealed that trouble started when a Hausa man living at Sabo area of the town allegedly slept with the wife of Ife man who reportedly went berserk when he discovered that his wife slept with the Hausa man. The case could have been lodged to those in authority for proper investigation and persecution, but lawlessness attitude of our jobless and aggressive youths escalated it into an orgy of violence.

Photo Credit - Daily Nigeria

Those youths took law into their hands which resulted into a wanton destruction of many innocent lives and properties worth of millions. It's sad and disheartening that some hoodlums took advantage of that to perpetrate the inhuman acts. After watching the tragic video on Youtube, I felt devastated and my heart bled. I asked myself silently; when are we going to get rid of all sorts of this violence and riots? When are we going to learn how to accommodate and tolerate one another? When are we going to become our brothers' keepers? When are we going to shun barbaric attitudes and behave as educated and civilized people?

I felt embarrassed and totally disappointed when I came through some illogic and irrational posts on the social media that took side on this issue and turned it into 'we' and 'them' game. Some commentators turned the issue into religious affairs that their fellow kinsmen were maimed and killed because they are Muslims. What a myopic and thought provoking statement! Is there no Muslim among the Ifes? Why do we like linking violence with religion? Those peddling tribalism and religious sentiments, with those posting hate and unpatriotic posts, and the sharers of Ife Massarce videos should know that they are not helping the matters at all. Ile - Ife is known to be the cradle of Yorubas and as such, peace and harmony should be allowed to reign.

The Ifes and Hausas have been leaving in peace and harmony with one another from time immemorial. The peace and love that both parties enjoyed before should be strengthened. Reprisal attacks should be avoided. We can't seize fire with fire. I commend the efforts and moves taken by the Executive governor of Osun state Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, His imperial majesty Ooni Adeyeye Enitan Babatunde Ogunwusi Ojaja II, Osun state Acting Commissioner of police Mr. Mohammad Abubakar Koji, Inspector General of Police and the distinguish lawmakers representing Ile - Ife both at the Red and Green Chambers towards finding a lasting solution to curb the menace.

The Federal Government should provide adequate security for its citizens. The Omoluwabis of Ife should sheathe their swords and give channel for peace to reign. The Ooni of Ife should strengthen and consolidate the peaceful co-existence between the Ifes and other tribes in his domain. Kaduna, Benue and Osun states governments should bring those terrorizing their subjects into book and compensate the victims.

The National Orientation Agency (NOA), should sensitize the populace on the importance of tolerance, peaceful co-existence and effects of taking law into one's hand. The National Emergency Management and Agency (NEMA) should send relief materials to those victims of the aforementioned states. The Security personnel should investigate Ife Massacre properly and the man who slept with Ife man's wife, if found guilty, should be punished to serve as deterrence to others. The media should be sensitive in reporting violence news.

Ayoola Imran writes from Ogbomosho South, Oyo state.