By Ahmed Ajikobi
More facts have emerged on the inter-ethnic crisis that engulfed the Fulani settlement in Iganga, Oyo State, recently.
Recall that Yoruba activist, Sunday Adeyemo popularly known as Sunday Igboho had penultimate Friday issued quit notice to Fulanis in Ibarapa Local Government Area of the state.
Shortly after he issued the ultimatum, protesters attacked Igangan town leading to loss of lives and wanton destruction of property.
Many Fulani settlers including the Seriki Fulani of Igangan flee their homes for fear of being killed.
Speaking to National Pilot in Ilorin, Kwara State capital at the weekend, the displaced Seriki Fulani, Saliu Abdulkadri recounted the incident that led to his current predicament.
The Fulani who is currently taking refuge in a Fulani settlement at Olorunsogo area of Ilorin, accused Sunday Igboho- of fanning the ember of discord between the Fulani settlers and their hosts in Oyo State.
Abdulkadri claimed he hadn’t met the Yoruba activist until about three weeks ago when he came to their settlement to issue the quit notice.
Sunday Igboho had alleged that the Fulani herders were responsible for kidnapping and killings in the state.
“Three weeks ago, on Friday, Sunday Igboho came to Igangan. He was led to our town by one Tunji Janbele. They came to me and accused us of being the master minds of kidnapping in the area.
“Within a twinkle of an eye, his boys who were armed shot at my people leaving four injured; three sustained gunshot injuries while one had machete wounds.
“Before they left, Sunday Igboho swore with his gun that he would return when the seven days ultimatum expires for war,” Seriki Fulani narrated.
Following the attack, Abdulkadri said he sought intervention of the state government and the police, who allayed his fears.
“I met with the state government, Commissioner of Police and stakeholders on the matter and they put my mind on rest.”Penultimate Thursday, before the attack, the Area Commander of Police in Igangan informed me that he had been directed by the state Commissioner of Police and the Governor to broker peace between us and Sunday Igboho. And, he promised to lead Sunday Igboho to my house.
“If only I knew it was all lies I would have informed my people to flee the town before the attack.
“I became confused when area fifteen police officers were deployed to our settlement and the military also sent down soldiers in four trucks to secure our area, penultimate Thursday, ” he further narrated.
However, on the fateful Friday, the Seriki Fulani said he received a call from the Area Commander of Police that he was coming to my house with Sunday Igboho.
“Barely 40 minutes after, my people started calling that Sunday Igboho had invaded our town with his men and were destroying property.
“I started hearing gunshots. They set my house, a six bedroom flat and about 11 cars in my compound were set ablaze.
“My brother, Abubakar Kadri and one other person were killed and their bodies were thrown into fire. We also found corpses of four other people whom they murdered.
He said he lost property N500 million and 207 cows worth N40 million to the attack, as well as N1.1million cash which was burnt to ashes when his house was set on ablaze.
The Seriki Fulani, however, alleged that the attack was a ploy by Tunji Janbele, a former Chairman of Ibarapa North LGA, to cover up his atrocities.
According to him, Jangbele’s thugs, Taiye and Kehinde Adeowo were nabbed for kidnapping and the Fulani people in the area helped security operatives with investigation.
“This did not go down well with Janbele who wants the case to be swept under the carpet.
“Taiye and Kehinde engage in kidnapping activities, robbery among other forms of crime. The duo kidnapped a Fulani man, Tahir Wetti and the victim was found in their room at Igangan. We handed them and seven other accomplices including three Fulani men over to police. We later discovered that, the duo were politcal thugs working for Janbele.
“Tunji Janbele tried all means to set Taiye and Kehinde free from prison but he failed. We are the ones testifying against them at the court because we have evidence. Since then he has been finding means of chasing us away to foil the court case, “he further alleged. Started find means to chase us out of Igangan so that we will not have access to testify at court over the matter.”
He also recalled that Amotekun operatives had earlier invaded a Fulani settlement, Gas Oke-Ibi and killed his people includimg one Usman Bello.
“They killed members of a family with no just cause and we reported the matter to Executive Assistant to Governor on Security, Odukoya Sunday. Four of the Amotekun operatives were arrested and taken to CID Oyo State police command. We were struggle with one. All these make us believe that Tunji Janbele is the brain behind the attacks in an attempt to get rid of us in Igangan.
He also alleged that Sunday Igboho is agitating for Oodua republic hence the reason for the attack on the Fulanis.
“Sunday Igboho is agitating for Oodua republic we heard that he has vowed to hoist the flag in the South West soon.”
While claiming that his people do not connive with kidnappers to carry out their nefarious acts, he appealed to traditional rulers in the 19 northern states to intervene in the issues affecting the Fulanis in the South West.
Reacting to the alarm raised Kwara State Coordinator of OPC New Era, Comrade Bayo Fabiyi over influx of armed Fulanis into Ilorin, Abdulkadri said his people do not have ammunitions.
“If we have ammunition we won’t run away from Sunday Igboho; we would have defended ourselves. We are not soldiers or police what we are going to do with guns?” he queried.
Also speaking to our reporter, the General Secretary of All Fulani Elite Congress, Mallam Garba Issa expressed dismay that kidnappers were disguising as Fulanis to carry out their criminal acts.
“After they kidnap people they run into the bush and dress like Fulani. And because we have our settlements in the bush, they make people believe that it is the Fulanis that are behind kidnapping in this country.”
He appealed to the media to stop stereotyping crime, noting that all groups have bad eggs.
