The Police Public Relations Officer, SP Josephine Adeh, revealed this in a statement on Monday, following an inquiry by our correspondent.
The police confirmed one death and an arrest, noting that it mobilised and deployed operatives from the FCT command to affected areas to douse tension and effect necessary arrests.
The PUNCH reports that this followed a communal clash by some rampaging Gbagyi and Hausa residents in the 3rd Avenue area of Gwarinpa, within the city centre of the FCT, Abuja, in a riot that has lasted three days.
Reacting to the development, Adeh said, “Following mild tension along 3rd Avenue in the Gwarinpa axis of the FCT due to a squabble between some Hausa and Gbagyi youths on Saturday, April 22, 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 CP 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 wounding 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.”
She added that the acting CP has charged the traditional rulers to encourage youths to sue for peace and explore legal means to settle grievances.
“The acting CP 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.
“Meanwhile, the police have intensified surveillance patrols in the areas for monitoring the situation to ensure that it does not further escalate. He (CP) urges all well-meaning residents of the FCT to go about their lawful businesses.”
