‘Seven of my people were killed’ — Seriki Fulani accuses Sunday Igboho of leading Oyo attack

Saliu Abdulkadir, Seriki Fulani of Igangan, has accused Sunday Adeyemo, a youth leader better known as Sunday Igboho, of leading the attack which resulted in the destruction of properties in the area.

Igboho made the headlines after he issued a quit notice to Fulanis in Ibarapa local government area (LGA).

However, things escalated as protesters stormed the Fulani settlement area in Igangan — shortly after Igboho addressed a crowd of his supporters — setting houses and vehicles ablaze.

Speaking at a media conference in Ilorin, the Kwara capital, on Thursday, Abdulkadir alleged that seven of his people were killed as a result of the attacks, while two corpses have not yet been found.

“I was at home when the area commander of Oyo state called me that they are coming to my house with Sunday Igboho for dialogue,” he said.

“It was not up to 40 minutes when my children ran to me that some group of people led by Sunday Igboho, were coming towards us, where we observe our Eid prayers, trooping to my house, burning our houses, shooting guns, burning our cars, and killing our animals. My children had to rescue me from the village.

“My houses, 11 vehicles belonging to myself and my children, and some others belonging to visitors were burnt to ashes. Seven of my people were killed. The corpses of two of them have not yet been found. Some of my animals were carted away. I urge the government to take note of all these.”

Speaking on efforts by the Fulani community in Igangan to address kidnapping, he alleged that Yorubas are also involved in criminal activities which have led to the abduction and killing of several of his kinsmen.

“When the case of kidnapping was reported to me, I assisted the security agents to arrest nine suspects. Among these nine, about six of them are Yorubas, while the other three are Fulanis. Three Yorubas among them were released, while the remaining six are at the correctional centre in Agodi, including the Fulanis,” Abdulkadir added.

“Furthermore, there are two villages close to Igangan, namely, Tapa and Lanlate. I worked with the security agencies to arrest some kidnappers in these two villages towards the end of last year.”

He urged governments at all levels to ensure proper investigation of the attack on his residence in Igangan, and ensure that all those found culpable are brought to book.