How Delta Police Killed Okpanam Building Materials Market Executive Mr Charles Illoba After Hausa Youth Attacked Residents – Report
In Okpanam, Hausa youth organised themselves and attacked residents of Okpanam of Oshimili South Local Government Area. The attack caused gridlock, as all vehicular and human movements were affected. Properties were vandalised and residents wounded.
What Caused The Problem.
Hausa youth woke up on Monday and began to complain about the mysterious murder of their brothers riding Okada for commercial purpose. The complaint soon turned into a riot, leading to the blockade of Okpanam road. That Monday, shops were forced to lock up as residents scampered to safety.
The two deceased Hausa youth were rumored to have been murdered by Okpanam vigilant group, while there were the sentiments of the Hausa boys being murdered by Igbo people, giving a dangerous tribal trend to the unfortunate incident. The rumour swirled among Hausa youth.
Angered by the death of their brothers, Hausa youth began to riot, and vandalise shops. They were asked to report to Nigerian Police Force, but they declined and decided to take the law into their hands. The aim of the riot according to them was to warn residents that killing of Hausa people will come with consequences. No evidence to back up their claim of deliberately being targeted.
It took the intervention of Nigerian Police Force after some hours to clear the menace. There was reported exchange of fire between Hausa youth and the Nigerian police. While responding to fire from Hausa youth, a stray bullet from Nigerian Police Force hit Mr Charles Iloba, an executive member of building materials market Okpanam.
Background
The capital city of Delta State has become a safe haven for Hausa people. Following a tribal conflict in Onitsha, Anambra State, under the then Governor Ngige Chris Nwabueze, Hausa people relocated to Asaba, Delta State. Businesses were also moved from Onitsha to Asaba for fear of repeat.
Since the relocation, Hausa indigenes have been trooping down from the North and anchoring in Asaba. They continue to migrate to the capital city in search of greener pasture. Their migration means extending to other communities within the capital city.
Most Hausa indigenes that relocated to the State ply Okada for living. This has ostensibly increased number of Okada riders in the city, even as Okada riding business in the capital city is dominated by Hausa youth.
The rate at which Hausa relocate to Asaba is worrying and their number gives them edge over residents who often fear they could be targeted by the bad ones among them.
How Okpanam People Reacted.
Nigerian Police Force ensured the incident was not recorded, by threatening those that tried to record the incident.
“The police points gun at you when they see you with phone recording what is happening. They knew Igbo people would react and they were trying to avoid escalation. They said they don’t want Hausa versus Igbo conflict, so you get arrested or delete video you recorded. People had to stay very far or in a story building to record. They said they will handle it. They shot sporadically because the Hausa youth are armed”
Hausa youth were suppressed on Monday, with no reported arrests. But Delta State Force headquarter is investigating the matter and subsequent arrests are inevitable.
Okpanam youth staged a protest on Tuesday, the next day – to pass a message of intolerance. Nigerian Police escorted the youth on the procession to ensure law and order are maintained. The intended message was that Okpanam won’t take any form of tribally organised crime.
Across the community, there is a resounding message of peace and unity.
