Oyo crisis: My family has relocated temporarily to Ilorin, says Seriki Fulani

Saliu Abdulkadri, Seriki Fulani of Igangan, Oyo state, says he is on a short visit to the north while his family members have settled temporarily in Ilorin, the Kwara capital.

Abdulkadir and his family left Igangan in Ibarapa local government area (LGA) of Oyo state last week, after his house and cars were torched by suspected thugs following an eviction notice issued by Sunday Adeyemo, a youth leader better known as Sunday Igboho.

Igboho had asked the herdsmen to vacate the area after accusing them of kidnapping and killing Yoruba people.

Speaking in Ilorin on Thursday, Abdulkadir said he has a house in Ilorin where his family has now moved to.

The Seriki, who said seven of his people were killed during the attack, added that he is open to moving back to Igangan if given the opportunity.

“I have not been called for any meeting as we speak. If we are asked to return to Igangan where are we going to live? My house and vehicles had been completely razed,” Abdulkadir said.

“But if given the opportunity to return to the community, I would consider moving back to Igangan.

“When we were sent out of Igangan, we moved to Ilorin in Kwara state. As we speak, I am in the north but my children are in Ilorin. I have a building in Ilorin.

“I don’t have anything to say because I did not offend any member of the community. The hoodlums who are indigenes of Igangan were once arrested and they are still at the Agodi correctional facility in Ibadan. Their ringleader is called Janbele; he is with the police now. That is one of the issues causing animosity between us and members of the community.”