One dead as Gbagyi, Hausa youths clash in Abuja community

One person has been killed in a clash involving some Gbagyi and Hausa youths in the federal capital territory (FCT).

The incident occurred on Monday in the 3rd Avenue, Gwarinpa area of the FCT.

The clash was said to have started on Saturday but escalated on Monday.

Josephine Adeh, the FCT police spokesperson, confirmed the development in a statement issued on Tuesday.

She said Ahmed Musa, FCT police commissioner, has met with traditional leaders of both tribes in the area to broker peace.

“Following mild tension along 3rd Avenue at the Gwarinpa axis of the FCT 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 Ag. 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 statement reads.

“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.

“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.

The police spokesperson said surveillance patrols have been “intensified” in the areas to ensure that tension does not further escalate.