Following the crisis that rocked the Popular SASA market in Ibadan, a constituents of Akinyele Local Government Apostle Muideen Abiodun has pen down an open letter to the Governor of Oyo State, Engineer Seyi Makinde.
In the letter made available to OYOMIND, Abiodun raised an eyebrow towards the arrest of some Yorubas who have been charged for conspiracy, arson and murder.
He further faulted the arrest which can be tagged to be centered on Yorubas where their Hausa counterparts were ignored, an act which he tagged ‘unfair’.
The letter reads thus:
AN OPEN LETTER TO GSM
Dear GSM,
Let me first and foremost thank you for the role you have played on Sasa saga.Thanks for coming around to sympathize with us which l have considered to be a kind gesture from the number one citizen of Oyo State. May God almighty continue lead to you to the right path.
Sir, I wouldn’t have bothered myself to pen this letter. But the sudden melancholy posture that characterized my current mood prompted me to push this forward.This happened after l had read the position of Nigerian police on Sasa crisis. I read that the security personnel had arrested 5 persons and they are all yorubas.
The most annoying part of the news was how these boys were nailed with different charges. They were alleged of killing 30 people, destroying properties that worth 80m. Could it be that yourubas are the ones to pay for the incident that happened in Sasa? Are yourubas to be at receiving end ? These and a host of others are the reasons for this letter.
Meanwhile, as an indigene of Akinyele local government and a resdident of Sasa , l could count about 20 houses and over hundred shops that were bornt down. All these shops and houses belonged to yourubas. Although, there were few houses owned by Hausa people too. Some of the shop owners who had not less than 5million naira goods in each of their shops are currently in pains. And the only surgery coming from security personnel to remove thier current pains is to detain their sons.This is unfair anyway. We should at least consider the psychological implication of this arrest on the part of their parents.
Recall that the incident that led to the ethnic crisis was reported to have started between one Hausa man(Cart pusher) and a woman which later involved another yoruba man (cobbler). The Hausa man stabbed the Yoruba man who was trying to defend the Yoruba woman.
The stabbed victim was confirmed dead in a hospital on Friday morning, leading to crisis in the community between the Hausa and the Yorubas, with the latter group trying to avenge the death of their tribesman.Within hours, the conflict spread beyond the market, as the Hausa and Yoruba communities in Akinyele Local Government Area, where the market is located, went after each other.
The reprisal attacks that led to the death of people from the side of the Yorubas and the Hausas , has furthered led to the arrest and detaining of some Yoruba people;
Tajudeen Oladunni, 50; Saburi Lawal, 37; Ojo Joshua, 25; Adekunle Olanrewaju, 38; Olagunju James, 24; Rasaq Yahya, 32 and Olaide Olawuyi, 20 with six counts charges bordering on conspiracy, arson and murder.
Could it be that Hausa people knew nothing about the crisis that led to the killing of some people? Could it be that Yoruba people were not affected ?
Then , if there must be justice, it should be applied equally. No stone should be left unturned. Everyone is equal before the law.
Kind regards,
Apostle Asimiyu Abiodun
