Kunle Adelabu
A chieftain of the Arewa community in Lagos East Senatorial District has dispelled information that Hausas are responsible for crimes in the state, especially in Ikorodu Division of Lagos State, Southwest, Nigeria.
Alhaji M.D. Hassan, Secretary of the Arewa United, Lagos East Senatorial District, who described himself and other Hausas as peace – loving Lagosians, spoke with THE IMPACT at the Ikorodu Local Government Secretariat on allegations that Hausas/Fulanis are the ones engaging in kidnapping and also involving in activities capable of threatening the peace in their host communities.
The Arewa leader said that they are peace – loving Nigerians with children, houses and businesses in Lagos and that there is no way they would be part or encourage any act that is capable of causing havoc in Lagos.
He said that they have been assisting the police in ensuring that there is peace in Lagos and a crime – free society.
“The Arewa is working with the police and this can be confirmed by the Shagamu Road Police Division in Ikorodu and Area ‘N’ Command in Ijede. We always avail them with information”, he said.
“Whenever any crime is committed and they call us for assistance, we always assist by giving them information.
“We work together with them and we are also part of the community policing.
“Some people even call us peace makers because we usually intervene whenever there is any issue between Yorubas and Hausas or Igbos and Hausas in Ikorodu and other areas. This is because we don’t want anything bad to happen”, Alhaji Hassan told our reporter.
“We usually draw the attention of Yoruba leaders when we see any sign that some people are threatening the peace and if it is from our side, we equally handle it before it degenerates”.
While stating that he is a Lagosian because he has his family and businesses in the state, Alhaji Hassan also stated that the Arewa community is very prominent in Lagos politics.
“I am from the north but I can call myself a Lagosian because this is where I have my family, do my business and earn my living. This is where I am”, he said.
“Politically, they know me and my capacity in Lagos. People also know us as members of the Arewa community in Lagos.
“We are different from those that just come to Lagos and do not have any location.
“We have houses and our children attend schools here. Many of us have built personal houses in Lagos. So,we are for peace in Lagos State”.
While stating that it is not proper to tag members of the Arewa community as criminals except those that have been identified to have committed any crime, Alhaji Hassan also appealed to members of the community against engaging in any act that could cause violence in the state.
He stated that they have to be mindful that whatever happens in Lagos would also affect members of the community, especially those that have interests in the state.
“You must be able to identify anybody who has committed any crime before you can call him a criminal.
“My message to those engaging in criminal acts is that they should know that there are many law abiding Hausas who are living peacefully in Lagos with their families and their acts are affecting us negatively”, he said.
“If you spoil Lagos, it will also affect Arewas living in it too. So, I beg them to look for genuine work to do and not allow anybody to use them to cause havoc”, he pleaded.
“I enjoin them to always verify whatever information that they have and know where such is coming from before they do anything”.
