In spite of the dusk-to-dawn curfew imposed by Governor Ayo Fayose of
Ekiti State on Wednesday, a fresh threat to the peace of the state
brewed on Friday when unknown persons razed the popular Oja-Oba (King’s
market) in Ado-Ekiti, the state capital.
The market, located directly opposite the palace of the traditional
ruler in Ado-Ekiti, and populated by Yoruba traders, was reportedly set
on fire in the early hours of Friday by unknown persons.
No one has claimed responsibility for the arson, and the police are
yet to establish those who carried out the attack on the market.
There are fears Friday that Hausa traders in the city, whose market was earlier razed, might be attacked again.
Reacting to these fears, Governor Fayose personally supervised the
evacuation of the Hausa community in four long buses to a safer place
called Shasha located along the Ado-Ekiti-Ikere-Ekiti road, to protect
them from attack.
He said the Hausa community would be at Shasha until further notice
and would be heavily guarded by both soldiers and mobile policemen.
The shop owners, who arrived the market in the the morning to
commence their business activities, met their shops engulfed in bellows
of smoke.
Most schools in the city were shut, including banks and other commercial centres.
A large detachment of security operatives were immediately drafted to
different locations to prevent further escalation of the crisis.
Police also made random arrest of several persons in connection with the incident.
There are claims in government circles that the crisis is assuming a
political dimension, and fueled by elements from opposing interests.
Idowu Adelusi, the Chief Press Secretary to Governor Fayose, noted
that some political actors might be hiding under the current crisis to
actualise their political ends to the detriment of the peace of the
state.
Governor Fayose, in company with Police Commissioner Etop James,
visited the scene, expressing dismay at the breach of the peace in the
face of the curfew.
He however noted that he had no plans to declare a 24-hour curfew, even though some persons were calling for it.
Source:
2 comments:
I applaud the governor of Ekiti for acting decisively to protect the lives of those at risk. The first job of government is to protect the people.
We sincerely pray and hope the situation doesn't spiral out of control. 247 vigilance is required.
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