Attack on Hausa community; an unhealthy rumour to stir still waters

Etim Ekpimah

The Ondo State Police Command has dispelled reports of rumoured attacks on the Hausa community and described the purported attacks as the work of mischief-makers to cause panic, tension and strife in the state.

The Police Public Relations Officer in the state, SP Odunlami Funmilayo, said in a statement on Thursday that there was no reprisal attack on the Hausa Community in the Sabo area in Ondo town or any part of the state.

“The attention of the Ondo State Police Command has been drawn to fake news being peddled by some mischief makers to cause panic, tension and strife in the state.

“The command wishes to state clearly that there was no reprisal attack on the Hausa Community at Sabo area in Ondo town or any part of the state as purported by these warmongers.

“On Tuesday, 7th of June, 2022, there was an attempted robbery on a J5 vehicle with plate no MKA – 469 YJ carrying Onions and Potatoes coming from Zaria enroute Ore, had a stopover at Ondo town and was attacked by men of the underworld around 0110 hrs. In the cause of this attempt, the robbers shot the driver, while the motor boy escaped with bullet injury, a motorcyclist alongside the pillion and a passerby were also hit by stray bullets,” the statement read.

He added that it was, however, disheartening that, these peddlers who are out to achieve no good did not confirm the story before spreading this falsehood as the victims involved in this failed robbery are from Yoruba, Igbo and Northern extraction.

The PPRO said that an investigation has since commenced and an effort is ongoing to arrest the assailants.

He added: “On this note, the Commissioner of Police, Ondo State Command, CP Oyeyemi Adesoye Oyediran, psc, fsi, urged the people of the state to remain calm and disregard the fake news, as the rumour mongers are out to stir unnecessary chaos and disrupt the peace of the state.

“This is also to warn the peddlers of this fake news to desist as the Command will not fold its arms and let them shatter the peace being enjoyed in the state.”