Chaos Erupts in Ilisan Remo as Hausa Youths Clash with Soldiers Over Alleged Robbers
On Tuesday, chaos erupted in Ilisan Remo, Ikenne Local Government Area, as a clash unfolded between a detachment of soldiers and police and some Hausa youths. The confrontation stemmed from the youths’ demand for the execution of an army officer allegedly involved in a robbery incident. The officer was accused of being part of a two-man gang that attacked one of the youths and attempted to steal his motorcycle.
According to a withness who was at the scene, the situation escalated quickly. One of the alleged robbers was beaten and set on fire by the angry mob. Meanwhile, the second suspect, who was reportedly dressed in an army uniform, managed to escape into a nearby building after being stabbed.
The Hausa youths, after the initial violence, organized themselves with the intention of targeting the fleeing suspect in the same manner as they had dealt with his accomplice. Despite appeals from community leaders and the initial responding police officers, the youths remained resolute in their demand to capture and kill the military personnel hiding from them. They justified their actions by citing ongoing issues with similar attacks where their motorcycles were stolen, and expressed frustration over the frequent victimization they have faced.
The Hausa youths quickly organized and vowed to deal with the escaped suspect in the same manner as they had with his accomplice. Despite appeals from community leaders and initial police responders, the youths were unyielding in their demand to kill the military personnel in hiding. They justified their stance by recounting their repeated suffering from attacks where their motorcycles were stolen.
The correspondence condemned the Hausa youths’ insistence on taking the law into their own hands.
“While it’s true that some of the Hausa individuals have recently lost their motorcycles to such attackers, the appropriate course of action is to adhere to the legal process,” he said. “It is unacceptable for them to insist on executing jungle justice. This situation recalls an incident from three years ago, when they nearly set the police station on fire in Ilisan after demanding the execution of two suspected motorcycle thieves who were in custody.”
According to a source, “Today, they have killed one of the suspects, and it’s reported that the suspect dressed in an army uniform, who fled into a building, might not survive due to knife wounds. This situation cannot continue; it’s wrong.”
In a statement released on Tuesday, Otunba Wemmy Osude, Chairman of the Ilisan Development Association, described the events: “The Hausa youths apprehended two suspects for stealing a motorcycle. One of the suspects was captured by a mob and tragically set on fire, while the other, dressed in an army uniform, sought refuge in a nearby house.
A large crowd of over 200 northern youths gathered outside the house, demanding the release of the suspect. Despite attempts to disperse the mob, their defiance persisted.”
The situation escalated until the Army intervened with a commando-style rescue operation, successfully evacuating the suspect. During the operation, a shootout occurred as soldiers responded to a hostile crowd that began throwing stones and damaging two vehicles. The soldiers showed remarkable bravery and professionalism, using tear gas to disperse the mob and restore order.
Captain Idereghi Akari, Assistant Director of Army Public Relations at the 35 Artillery Brigade in Alamala, Abeokuta, confirmed the incident on Wednesday. He clarified that the soldier allegedly wounded by the Hausa youths was not a thief, while the individual killed was a civilian. He promised to provide further details later.
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