Nine killed as Hausa, Fulani clash in Lagos + photos

No fewer than nine persons died on Wednesday when men said to be of Hausa and Fulani origins clashed in the Oko Oba Abattoir area of Lagos State.
It was said to be a clash between scrap dealers and cattle sellers.
Sources said the scrap dealers, who are mostly Hausa, accused the head of the Fulani clan in the area of backing officials of the Nigeria Railway Corporation in the demolition of the shanties where they transact their business.
The area was said to fall within the land owned by the NRC.
Those involved in the clash, which started late on Tuesday, were armed with axes, machetes, clubs and other dangerous weapons.
They stormed the Oko Oba Abattoir at about 2am on Wednesday, where they attacked the Fulanis who were already asleep.
They were reported to have vandalised and looted the market, taking with them money, telephone sets and other valuables.
Over 20 of the cattle rearers were said to have been injured.
Six vehicles belonging to the executives of the cattle rearers association were damaged by the scrap dealers.
A counter attack was said to have taken place, during which lives were lost.
The Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer, Dolapo Badmos, confirmed the clash.
Badmos, however, said only one person died.
She said: “The report we have indicated that the crisis erupted as a result of a young Hausa girl beaten up by a Fulani man.
“The action did not go down well with the Hausa men, which led them to seek revenge.
“This later degenerated to a serious fight and subsequent destruction of property.”