Tension : Hausa Community And Traders Clash In Asaba

No fewer than 10 persons has been reported injured while property worth millions of naira has been destroyed as traders clashed with Hausa community in Delta State yesterday. Police spokesperson,

Mrs. Celestina Kalu, confirmed the incident.Reports said that trouble started in the Hausa. Community along Asaba-Benin Expressway popularly known as “Trailers Parking Quarters”, with
some Dangote Trailer Drivers and some traders over parking space, thereby resulting to uncontrollable verbal crossfire, leaving the trailer drivers and the traders in a free for all. Another account said that the fracas was as a result of encroachment in portion of the traders by the lorry drivers.Six people were arrested in the process. According to Kalu, “Our policemen have arrested the situation and six persons arrested are currently helping the police for investigation”.It was gathered while the fight lasted, the angry Hausa trailer drivers allegedly pounced on one of the traders, beating and inflicted body injuries on her.An eyewitness, Soji Bukola, said one of the traders’ wife had asked the trailer drivers to park their trucks properly, following which argument ensued and attracted other Hausa sympathisers who allegedly trooped to the scene in solidarity to join in the fight.Investigation revealed that there has been “bad blood” between the traders and the Hausa trailer drivers over alleged reckless parking following which in most cases poses threats to the traders’ customers.Speaking to our correspondent, one Miss Ngozi Ogechi, said the rampaging Hausa people and the trailer drivers allegedly destroyed properties of the traders during the fight.As at the time of filling this report, normalcy had returned to the community with over six Police Patrol vans loaded with security operatives drafted to the scene to maintain law and order.
Daily Times