PDP chieftain, 80, detained over killing that led to Fulani-Yoruba crisis in Ibarapa

The police have arrested an 80-year-old chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Igangan, simply identified as Pa Olawuwo, over the death of Fatai Aborode.

Olawuwo was arrested and taken to the state criminal investigation department, Iyaganku, in Ibadan, Oyo state capital.

Upon his arraignment in court on Friday, he was remanded in police custody.

Olugbenga Fadeyi, Oyo state police public relations officer, confirmed his arraignment and remand to TheCable on Saturday.

Some of his supporters who went to pay him a visit in police custody were said to have been denied access.

THE MURDER OF ABORODE

Aborode, also a chieftain of the PDP, was gunned down on December 11, 2020, while in his farm along Apodun Road, Igangan, Ibarapa North LGA of Oyo.

He was the house of representatives candidate on the platform of Accord Party in 2015 before defecting to the PDP.

His father had told Seyi Makinde, Oyo governor, that he was convinced that the killing of his son was politically motivated.

“Everybody said Fulani killed Dr Aborode. But when I went to his father, he said what happened had political undertone,” Makinde had said during a radio interview in February.

“He also told me that Dr Aborode did not drive himself to the farm (on the day he was killed); he was taken on a bike by somebody.”

Following Aborode’s death, it was widely claimed that he was killed by suspected Fulani herders.

His killing, and other similar incidents, led to the quit notice issued to Fulani herders in Ibarapa — after tension in the area was already palpable.

The quit notice, championed by Sunday Igboho, resulted in the destruction of the properties of Salihu Abdukadir, Seriki Fulani in Igangan, by some Ibarapa youths.