FCT Clash: Deaths Reported, Cars Destroyed

An unspecified number of people have been reported dead as Hausa and Gbagyi boys clashed in Gwarinpa, a highbrow area of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja.

Unofficial sources said about 30 vehicles were destroyed by the feuding parties.

An eyewitness, simply identified as Mr Jonah, who is also a motorist playing the Gwarinpa axis, said the clash started when some Hausa boys allegedly broke into the house of the councillor in the area, stealing some of his valuables which resulted in the reprisal attack and subsequent killings.

He said, “The fight is between Hausa boys and Gbagyi (the indigenes). As you know, the Hausa boys are mostly the Keke riders and those that sell drugs in the Gwarinpa 3rd Avenue Road. It was said that the Hausa boys broke into the councillor’s house, they burgled the house, and tried to rob the house and that was when the indigenes got annoyed and came out to say  they are chasing the Hausa boys out of Gwarinpa and that was how the confrontation started that led to the killing of some of them before the military came and calmed everywhere down.

“As I am talking to you right now, I think the military left the area and that was when this second phase started. The Hausa guys came from nowhere and started bashing cars. They bashed over 30 cars, the glasses all shattered. I managed to escape. As I talk to you now, I am still driving. It was after this that the Gbagyi boys came out in large numbers with woods in their hands and that was the trending video online. They were going towards 2nd Avenue to chase out all the Hausa boys there. “

One of the injured traders, Emmanuel Joseph said, “I was just on my own when some of the boys came to my shop and started saying I am one of them.”

Joseph was receiving treatment at the Federal Road Safety Corps Medical Centre, Gwarinpa, when he gave his side of the crisis.

A medical practitioner at the FRSC facility, who preferred anonymity, said at least two people have died from the incidents, while others in critical situations were referred to the National Hospital, Abuja

However, normalcy has been restored to the area following the heavy presence of the FCT Joint Task Force (JTF) of the police, military, DSS, NSCDC and Guards Brigade.

The FCT police said only one person died in the clash and one suspect was arrested.

FCT police spokesperson, SP Josephine Adeh said: “Following mild tension along 3rd Avenue at the Gwarinpa axis of the Federal Capital Territory due to a squabble between some Hausa and Gbagyi youths on Saturday, 22nd April, 2023, and the subsequent mobilisation and deployment of operatives from the FCT Police command to the affected areas to douse the tension and effect necessary arrests, the acting commissioner of police for the FCT, DCP Ahmed Musa, has met with traditional rulers of both the Hausa and Gbagyi communities in Gwarinpa at his office in the command headquarters to broker peace between both groups, deliberate on possible collaborations necessary to keep the youths in check and oust troubleshooters in the communities.

“The fracas between the two groups which caused the grievous injury of two youths who were conveyed to the hospital where one was eventually declared dead after attempts to attend to his wounds failed, led to the arrest of one suspect who is currently assisting the Police in their investigations to ascertain the immediate and remote causes of the affray.

“The acting commissioner of police in charge of the FCT has charged the traditional rulers to consistently encourage the youths to imbibe peace and pursue grievances through the legally approved channels rather than taking laws into their hands.”

She also said the police had intensified surveillance patrols in the areas to monitor the situation to ensure that it does not further escalate.

The police also called on all well-meaning residents of the FCT to go about their lawful businesses and report all suspicious activities, persons, or groups via command emergency lines: 08032003913, 08061581938, 07057337653 and 08028940883.