President Muhammadu Buhari has promised that his administration would not allow any ethnic or religious groups to stir up hatred and violence against other groups. 

In a statement released on Sunday, President Buhari reiterated his commitment to protect all religious and ethnic groups in Nigeria. 

Buhari released this statement on the heels of heightened ethnic and communal tension and violence springing up across the country, including clashes between Fulani herders and their host communities as well as the recent Yoruba and Hausa clash in Oyo state.

On Saturday, February 13, Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo state imposed a curfew on Akinyele local government area in Ibadan following an ethnic clash between Hausas and Yorubas that began with a quarrel between two artisans in Shasha Market on Friday.  

READ ALSO: AT LEAST SIX KILLED, HOUSES RAZED, PROPERTIES DESTROYED IN OYO ETHNIC VIOLENCE

Videos showed Yoruba hoodlums blocking the highways ready to attack Hausa passengers as a reprisal for the killing of an artisan on Friday. 

Sources say Hausas were dragged down from vehicles and killed. 

Governor Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti State and Rotimi Akeredolu, the Governor of Ondo state have condemned the violence that erupted in Oyo state. 

Governor Fayemi called on all stakeholders and security agencies to stop the violence in Shasha. The Ekiti State Governor said the country would enjoy lasting peace and progress through dialogue, mutual respect, and understanding. He added that violence and attendant death would only spell doom for the country. 

Governor Makinde on his part has promised to provide immediate palliatives to traders who lost their source of livelihood during the clash. He also promised to ensure that criminals masquerading as hoodlums in the state are fished out and dealt with. 

Meanwhile, the Federal Government has commenced nationwide town hall meetings on insecurity across the 5 geo-political zones

Major-General Babagana Monguno (RTD), the National Security Adviser will be leading a delegation of Heads of Federal Law Enforcement, Security and Intelligence Agencies to hold town hall meetings with the State Governors, Traditional and religious leaders, members of the legislature, Non-Governmental, Youth and women organisations in a bid to provide a direct assessment of the security situation as well as to create a pathway to lasting peace and security. 

The first of the town hall meeting is scheduled to hold on Monday, February 15 in Kaduna state where the declaration led by Major-General  Monguno would meet with all seven governors of North-Western States.

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