School denies attack by Hausa Youths

Hausa youths did not attack Lagooz School in Agege, Lagos, last Tuesday, the proprietor and the Arewa Council of Chiefs, Agege Kingdom, have said.

At a press conference in the school, the proprietor, Mr. Yomi Otubela, and representatives of Arewa Council of Chiefs said the report could create ethnic tension in the community.

Otubela said there was a fight at the school’s car park after a valedictory service last July 16, which the police contained.

He said a teacher, Mr. John Wakan, was hit in the eye while attempting to separate the brawlers. The proprietor said nobody entered the school or vandalized its property, adding that there was also no theft and the woman principal was not attacked.

He said the fighters were released by the police the next day and have since apologized for causing trouble.

“We distance ourselves from the report that the school was vandalized by the Hausa community. This is an area that is tense with a lot of political/tribal tension, so spreading this kind of news is not right.”

“The fight happened outside the school; they did not in any way come into the school. It involved two young well wishers of the graduating pupils. One of them unintentionally used his car to hit the other and an argument ensued between the two car owners that consequently led to a brawl. When the school management noticed it could not control the situation anymore, they had to involve the police at Elere Police Station. However, parents of the detained persons visited the school to plead and an understanding was reached. The culprits were later released by the police.”

The Arewa Council of Chiefs, spokesperson Alhaji Kabiru Dinar, condemned the report, which he said could tarnish the Hausa community’s reputation.

He said: “we are no more considered as settlers; we are part and parcel of this community and have a track record of peaceful coexistence. We don’t allow our children to cause trouble. This kind of publication can cause ethnic crisis. We are not happy because it can tarnish the reputation of our community which we worked hard to build.”

The group’s Mogaji Alhaji Zango Abubakar, said the incident was reported to him on the day it happened and he met with Otubela the next day and all was amicably resolved.

The principal, Mrs. Olyvet Otubela, and Wakan denied being beaten. Parent of one of the arrested youth, Alhaji Sabiu Rabiu, aid the story misrepresented the incident.