Four members of the Hausa community have been killed during last weekend’s protest against northerners at the Oil Mill Market in Rumuokwurusi area of Port Harcourt.
Chairman of the Hausa Community in Rivers State, Musa Saidu, revealed this on Tuesday when he led other northern leaders to the market to assess the situation.
He said “four northern traders were killed during the protest at Oil Mill Market. I visited the area today with some journalists. We went round the shops of those affected and saw that many had been looted.”
Saidu said the protesters looted and vandalised several shops owned by northern traders .
He urged northern residents and traders in the state to remain calm and peaceful despite the provocation.
According to Saidu, northerners, like other Nigerians living in the State are law-abiding citizens engaged in legitimate businesses.
The killing of an indigene, Nchelem Samuel Festus, allegedly by a northern commercial motorcyclist in Igwuruta, Ikwerre Local Government Area reportedly triggered the protest.
It was learnt that the victim was said to have stolen a motorcycle from a northerner’s shop.
In an effort an attempt to retrieve the motorcycle, an argument reportedly ensued, leading to the motorcyclist allegedly stabbing Festus. He later died from injuries sustained in the incident.
Tensions rose on Saturday after a wheelbarrow pusher, Zakara Afaaruwu, allegedly stabbed a trader from Benue State, Higightor Wenem, to death during a dispute over space at the Oil Mill Market.
This led to renewed invasion on northern traders, with several businesses reportedly destroyed
The police had arrested Afaaruwu, saying he is in detention for investigation and possible prosecution.
The state police spokesperson, CSP Grace Iringe-Koko, said she was unaware of such fatalities.
She said “I have already stated what happened during the protest.”
