New York [RR] ONITSHA–Emerging reliable communication reaching Republic Reporters New York states that Onitsha, Anambra State, has become a battle ground between Hausa and Igbo communities. Sources disclosed to us that riot broke-out between the Hausa traders and Igbo traders at the Head Bridge in Onitsha after Igbo bus driver was allegedly shot dead because he declined to give or allow policemen to collect N20 bribe.

[PHOTO: Onitsha market traders on rampage...against Hausas-Fulanis, dead tool hits 10]

Reliable sources say dead toll has risen to 10 from 4 earlier today. Nigeria State Security Service (SSS) disclosed on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak on the crisis because it is still premature and very sensitive to do so at this time. 

A source said “fight started at 1:30pm following a misunderstanding between the police stationed at the head bridge and one of the commercial bus drivers operating at the head bridge. The police was said to have been hitting the driver’s bus with his AK47 riffle – and it then got stuck in the bus. As the police officer struggled to retrieve his riffle, the driver of the bus pulled away with his vehicle dragging the police officer in the process. The police officer’s partner, upon sighting his partner being dragged, fired his rifle and shot the driver dead instantly..”, 247UReporters reported today. 

“The officers were northerners and the driver was an Igbo man. 

“The bridge head area immediately, turned deadly. The Igbo drivers and traders became angry and began attacking the police stations within the environs. They also targeted their anger at the Hausa traders trading at “Abatoir” – stating that since the Hausa people have been killing the south easterners in north – that they remained calm – but today they are seeking revenge. 

Movement for The Actualization of Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB) leadership has called on Igbo commercial city and traders not to harm Hausa population in Onitsha, but has ordered immediate dismantling of all Police Check-Points in the environs with immediate effect. 

Another source said: “An SSS officer staged in Onitsha, the military and the police have reacted to dispatch anti-riot squad to the head bridge area to stop the riot. The SSS added however that as at 2:30pm that the security men have not been able to stop the rioting’. Republic Reporters gathered that the riots have spread to Benin City and Asaba Capital Territory of Delta State. 

Vanguard said: “As at the time of this report, over 200 of the run-away Hausas from Onitsha were taking refuge at the Police ‘B’ Divisional headquarters in Asaba located on the Asaba-Benin highway.

Adding that “Similar incident occurred sometime in February 2006  following reprisal attacks on Hausa men at Onitsha, during the massacre of Igbos in Maiduguri and other parts of the North.

Thursday’s reprisal attack at Onitsah caused a lot of panic especially among the Hausa settlers in Asaba as some of them who had earlier fled home over the threat of reprisal from Boko Haram unslaught but returned back about a week ago became restive.

Republic Reporters is monitoring this development, please stay with us…

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