By SAKA LAARO, Ilorin.
Fulani communities in Kwara state have called on government to investigate recent attack on their settlements in the state by irate youth, saying that they are victims of kidnapping
The people in the Oke Ero and Irepodun local government areas of Kwara state also said that none of their people are involved in kidnap activities in the areas, more than 100 years they had resided in the area.
It is recalled that youth in the two local government areas sacked about four Fulani communities located therein on allegations that one of the suspected kidnap kingpins arrested by combined forces of military, police and NSCDC officials is of Fulani stock.
Speaking through their spokesperson, Alifa Dan-Fulani Modibbo, the people said that they had been victims of kidnapping in the area on several occasions, adding that a Fulani family of three was kidnapped few weeks ago while one of the three abducted was killed by their abductors after collecting N3million ransom.
Modibbo, who said that property worth N300 million, including cars, 2,000 cows and cattle, 50 houses, a hotel among others was destroyed and looted by the youth who attacked the Fulani communities, said that cash was also stolen by the youth.
The people, who appealed to the federal government to investigate the matter towards ensuring peaceful coexistence between Fulani people and their host communities, said perpetrators should be brought to book.
“On April 27, about 10 soldiers on patrol stormed Fulani community in Odo Owa looking for suspected kidnappers. One of the Fulani people with suspected brain issue was beaten when he tried to talk tough with the soldiers, including another person. Others explained to the military men that they’ve been living in the community for over 100 years as most of them were born in the camp. Later the military men left. Alhaji AbdulRamon, who has the largest number of cows in the settlement, was called to inform him of the incident and he came after reporting the matter to the police.
“The soldiers came back again to search the settlement on suspicion that arms and ammunition were hidden there, but nothing was found. Before we knew it, large number of youth came from town to burn property and stole our money in the presence of the military men. They took Abdul Ramon with them, saying that it’s to protect him from possible attack. Ramon deals in cattle in Omu Aran and Odo Owa, he has hotel business in Omu Aran etc and has nothing to do with kidnapping.
“Seriki Fulani, who kept about N15m cash and another person with about N3million cash in his house for people’s Hajj pilgrimage was stolen. The youth who came to loot came with vehicles, Okada to pack goods before burning the houses,” he said.
While he called on the federal government to investigate the matter and bring perpetrators to book to prevent future occurrence, the spokesperson said that,
“Federal government should take proactive steps so that this does not escalate. Where do we start from? We’ve lost everything. We’re homeless. What do you expect children of the victims to do? People can’t just be allowed to take laws into their hands. All those involved in this attack should be brought to book. We’ve been telling our people to calm down and allow legal security procedure to take its course,” he said