The Sagamu crisis of 1998 was a violent ethnic conflict that occurred in the Sagamu area of Ogun State, Nigeria. The crisis was between the Hausa-Fulani Muslim community and the Yoruba community, who are predominantly Christian.
The crisis began on October 17, 1998, when a dispute arose between a Yoruba man and a Hausa-Fulani man over the use of a public toilet. The dispute quickly escalated into a violent conflict, with both sides attacking each other with weapons such as guns, machetes, and clubs.
The conflict lasted for several days and resulted in the deaths of dozens of people, as well as the displacement of thousands of others. Many homes and businesses were also destroyed during the violence.
The Nigerian government deployed military troops to the area to restore peace, and a commission of inquiry was set up to investigate the causes of the crisis and make recommendations for preventing future conflicts.
The Sagamu crisis was one of several ethnic and religious conflicts that have occurred in Nigeria over the years, and it highlighted the challenges of managing diversity in a country with over 250 ethnic groups and multiple religions. The crisis also underscored the need for effective conflict resolution mechanisms and the importance of promoting tolerance and understanding between different groups in the country.
