Fulani/ Farmers Clash: Oyo Govt Vows To Investigate the Remote Causes
Oyo state government has promised to unravel the immediate and remote causes of last Friday clash between Fulani herdsmen and farmers in Igangan area of Ibarapa North Local Government Area of the state.
There have been conflicting reports on the incident as there were claims of three casualties while another report claimed that their persons were injured and one missing.
Igangan community in Ibarapa North Local Government Area of Oyo state has been in the news in the last few days as it remains the hotspot of attack between Fulani and pastoral farmers.
The situation reached its highpoint last Friday when two farmers were said to have been hacked to death by some herdsmen following the visit of Sunday Igboho and his men to the community.
While two Yoruba indigenes identified as Jamiu Junaid and Sunday Isaiah were macheted by rampaging and angry youths after some huts in their hamlet was razed, the injured Fulani victim, named Ahmed Isah was axed by yet to be identified assailant.
The victims are receiving medical attention at different hospitals in the community. It was gathered that the visit of Sunday Igboho and his men to the palace of Seriki Fulani in the town led to the crisis.
It at the scene of the incident, it was gathered that while the brief meeting was ongoing between the monarch, Sunday Igboho and members of his entourage, it was observed that some hamlets in the area were been set on fire.
Speaking with Journalists on the incident, the Seriki Fulani of Oyo State, Alhaji Abdul-Kadir, who spoke through his son denied knowledge of the attack, saying the Fulanis in the community now live in fear and apprehension as issued by Sunday Igboho.
Also, a member of Iganga Development Advocates, Oguntade Blessing accused the security operative of negligence, noting that the attack on the resident by the Fulanis happened in their full glare.
While speaking on the incident, the Executive Assistant to Governor Seyi Makinde, CP Sunday Odukoya (rtd.) said the government has commenced an investigation into the matter, assuring that those found culpable would be made to face the full wrath of the law.
Odukoya who paid an on-the-spot-assessment to the scene of the incident in Igangan as well as to all the victims at the separate hospitals where they are receiving medical attention said the government is not asking the law-abiding residents irrespective of their tribe or creed to leave any part of the state but only criminal elements.
He added that no one has the power to give an order or ultimatum to any other resident to leave or vacate any part of the state.
It is hoped that security agencies will step to forestall breakdown of law and order in the area.