Igangan Attack: Anger Boils, Govs Sue For Calm

By Tosin Olatokunbo

Governors of the six south west states in the country have condemned the weekend killings, by suspected Fulani herdsmen in Igangan, Oyo state as a dastardly act.

According to the residents, houses and farmlands were burnt by the rampaging herdsmen, who they said attacked the town with more than 20 motorcycles and deadly weapons.

Taiwo Adeagbo, an official of Igangan Farmers’ Union, said the gunmen arrived around 12:40 a.m. on Sunday.

He said “Aside from killing our people, the Fulani herdsmen also set a petrol station ablaze and cars ablaze. They have also burnt the palace in Igangan.”

The Governor of the state, Seyi Makinde has called for calm.

Makinde, who spoke on Sunday said he is currently being briefed on the Saturday’s night attack, said he received the shocking news of the attacks on residents of the community in the early hours of Sunday.

“I urge residents to remain calm as security operatives are now in control of the situation,” the governor said.

At least 15 people were reported killed in the incident by gunmen who were said to be on a mission to avenge the deaths of their kinsmen during a clash with indigents, led by Sunday Adeyemo, popular as Sunday Igboho, a Yoruba youth activist in January this year.

The clash led to the eviction of the Fulani leader in the town Alhaji Salihu Abdulkadir , while his multi-million properties were also touched by the angry protesters who claimed that the fleeing Fulani herdsmen were responsible for the spate of kidnapping and rape in the sleepy town.

Abdulkadir has claimed that he lost over N500 million to the attack, apart from his children and family members who were killed.

Some of the resident said after the attack on Sunday that Fulani herdsmen who are angry that they have been evicted from Igangan carried out the attacks.

But while speaking on the issue, Governor Rotimi Akeredolu of Ondo state, who spoke unbehalf of his colleagues said everything will be done to bring attackers to book, adding that Amotekun, a regional security body set up by the governors in the region have been directed to secure the zone.

Akeredolu said “We have just received with rude shock a premeditated attack on our people at Igangan, Ibarapa, Oyo State, in the early hours of today. This cowardly onslaught on a peaceful community has occasioned loss of lives and property on a large scale.

“It is horrendous, callous, and highly provocative. All well-meaning Nigerians must condemn, in the strongest term possible, this latest assault on decency and communal harmony.”