Date: 2018-04-02

Five people were reportedly hospitalised in a private hospital in Ilorin, Kwara State capital, following a clash between Hausa and Yoruba youths in Sango area, yesterday. Meanwhile, the state Police Command confirmed the arrest of seven suspects in connection with the incident.

It was gathered that the fracas started late Saturday night when a Yoruba man returning from work was allegedly attacked by some Hausa boys that sell scrap metal, because the man refused to allow them scavenge in his domain.

The attack, according to sources, was said to have prompted the Yoruba youths in the area to carry out retaliatory attack on the Hausa youths yesterday, leading to the hospitalisation of five people. The state Police Public Relations Officer, Ajayi Okasanmi, confirmed the incident yesterday.

Okasanmi said: "The clash started last night (Saturday) as a result of a misunderstanding between a group of Hausa boys and some Yoruba boys that resulted in a fight."

He said policemen from the E, A and B divisions, supported by men of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps, were drafted immediately to the area and calm was restored.

Okasanmi also added that seven suspects were arrested, while two of them who sustained injuries were hospitalised. He also said the remaining five are in detention and are currently undergoing investigation, adding that they will soon be charged to court.