In a bid to quell tension arising from the riot in Shasha market in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital which resulted in destruction of lives and properties across some parts of South West, the federal government yesterday called on Nigerians to desist from the temptation of giving ethnic colouration to criminal activities in the country.
Vice President Yemi Osinbajo who sounded the warning while addressing journalists during a condolence visit to the family of the late Chief Lateef Jakande in Lagos State, described the Ibadan riot as unfortunate and tragic.
Condemning the violence that led to the loss of lives at the Shasha market, the vice president asked Nigerians to unite and fight the criminality across the nation.
He said every Nigerian has a constitutional right to live, work and enjoy their lives in safety and peace under the law.
“We must never take the law into our own hands, if we do we will be promoting chaos, and a breakdown of law and order, and all of us especially the most vulnerable amongst us, will be at risk. I urge all community leaders to work together to preserve the brotherly co-existence that our people from different parts of the country have enjoyed in Shasha market for several decades,” Osinbajo said.
Also, minister of Interior, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, said African race and Nigeria in particular abhors all forms of crimes and criminality.