No fewer than three people have reportedly been feared dead in a communal clash between Gbagyi (Gwari) natives and Hausa residents at the 3rd Avenue Gwarinpa, Abuja.
The clash began on Saturday, April 22, and reached a peak on Monday, April 24.
According to Abuja Facts, the fight began between Keke drivers, who are predominantly Hausas, and Gbagi indigenes.
“Reports indicate that there has been unrest at 3rd Avenue Gwarinpa, because of the recent clash between the Hausa folks and Gbagyi residents,” Abuja Facts wrote on Twitter while sharing videos from the scene.
A video shared online shows a man with blood gushing out of wounds on his face.
A voice in the video is heard saying that some guys who sell drugs and drive Keke in Gwarimpa, allegedly broke into a counsellor’s house to rob so the Gbayi indigenes became upset and came out at night, asking the Hausa guys to leave Gwarimpa.
This led to a confrontation between both groups and it degenerated into violence.
People were injured and some, sadly, died from their injuries. Cars were also destroyed in the altercation.
The news men are yet to independently verify the number of casualties recorded as a result of the incident because all attempts to reach the FCT police spokesman, Josephine Adeh, for comment, were futile as her phone line was unavailable at press time.
However, a Twitter user, Gbemi Dennis while sharing the video of the situation in the community on Monday, said there had been several stories surrounding the incident.
He wrote: “As it is going in Gwarinpa Abuja… Different stories flying around, – hoodlums rioting on 3rd avenue, – fight between keke napep and residence/indegene on 3rd avenue, – drug dealers and boys are clashing on 3rd avenue… Nothing official at the moment, but it is evident that crisis has started over the weekend.
The military intervened and restored order. However, after the soldiers left, the violence continued late into Saturday night and resumed on Monday morning.
