Scores killed as gunmen attack Igangan

…Makinde, Police call for calm

…It’s declaration of war against Yoruba — Gani Adams

By Ayo Fadimu

Scores of people were feared to have been killed and properties razed in Igangan, a town in Southern Oyo, when gunmen suspected to be Fulani herdsmen attacked the community.

Our Correspondent gathered that the suspected gunmen numbering about 20 invaded the town around 11.00 p.m on motorcycles, and allegedly opened fire on innocents citizens and burnt down property.

The source told Nigerian NewsDirect that a yet to be ascertained number of people were allegedly killed, while Adolak Filling Station and the Palace of Asigangan were set ablaze.

The source also said that many residents had gone to bed when the suspected gunmen invaded the town on Saturday night.

“Before we could know what was going on, they had started killing our people.

“We are yet to ascertain the numbers of people shot dead and injured by the attackers

Other  sources also said they saw several lifeless bodies of defenceless residents who were hacked to death in their homes early Sunday morning.

A viral video showed bodies of dead people, with the narrator in the background, saying “these are human bodies on the floor.”

The narrator blamed the death on Fulani militias.

It will be recalled that the Fulani families and their leader, Abdulkadir Salihu, resident in Igangan, were forcibly removed from the town in January by aggrieved indigenous Yoruba population inspired by Sunday ‘Igboho’ Adeyemo, a self-acclaimed Yoruba warlord.

The Yoruba leader  accused  Salihu, of masterminding or enabling the Fulani attacks, including rape, murder, destruction of farms, and abductions, however Salihu denied the allegations.

A resident and youth leader in the community, Oladiran Oladokun, said that a son of  Salihu, Umar, had repeatedly sent him messages threatening that the Fulani would retaliate for how they were attacked and forced out of Igangan

In the meantime, the Aareonakakanfo of Yorubaland, Iba Gani Adams on Sunday condemned the gruesome murder of scores of people in Igangan town, Ibarapa, Oke Ogun area of Oyo state by suspected Fulani herdsmen, declaring that with the sad incident, war looks very imminent in the country.

Adams, while condemning the dastardly acts, warned Fulani herdmen and bandits to stay away from the southwest or be ready to face stiff resistance.

According to reports, the early morning killings brought the entire Igangan town and its environs to its kneels with many people killed, while cars and over 20 houses razed.

Speaking after viewing the gory videos of the massacre, Adams said with the action, the North had waged war against the southwest and unleashed terror on the region, stressing the need for the people of the southwest region to rise and defend themselves without looking back.

“In a situation like this, you rise and defend yourself. Where are the police when the bandits started killing our people in Igangan today?

“Even the palace of Asigangan of Igangan land,Oba Adewuyi Olaoye, was not spared and the monarch, according to reports had been whisked away by the bandits.

“Three days ago, the Director General of Oyo state Southwest Security Network Amotekun, Gen. Kunle Togun(Retd) raised the alarm that herdsmen had invaded the southwest. I corroborated his statements and called for urgent surveillance across the southwest.

“Now with the recent onslaught on Igangan people, it is evident that the Fulani herdsmen are on a predetermined mission to kill, maim and decimate the southwest. This is one killing too many, I will not fold my arms seeing the blood of innocent people being shed like it is in Igangan.”

He lamented the failure of the Federal Government to rise to the security challenges across the country, urgung Yorubas to rise up to the challenge.

Adams charged governors in the southwest, as well as the traditional rulers to ensure the safety of their people. He warned criminal herders to stay away from the region, assuring that the OPC and other local security operatives will continue to ensure that the region is safe for residents.

“Those killed in Igangan town have their families and friends, there is blood flowing in their veins and in a moment their lives were cut short by killer herdsmen and bandits in their homes.”

In the meantime, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) in the state, Adewale Osifeso, confirmed the attack in a message sent to our Correspondent in Ibadan.

Osifeso, however, did not confirm the number of casualties nor the burning of any property.

He said investigation was ongoing and that an update on the incident would be made available later.

According to him, on Saturday at about 2310 hour, a yet to be ascertained number of unknown assailants invaded Igangan Town with dangerous weapons in a bid to create unrest in the town.

“The unscrupulous elements were, however, repelled by a combination of operational and tactical assets deployed to the scene to restore normalcy.

“The situation is being closely monitored and investigations are ongoing to apprehend the perpetrators,” Osifeso said. Meanwhile, Oyo State governor, Seyi Makinde has called for calm over the incident in Igangan the governor said  he is currently being briefed on the Saturday’s night attack by some unknown gunmen in Igangan Community in Ibarapa area of the state.

Makinde, in a statement issued in Ibadan, on Sunday, said he received the shocking news of the attacks on residents of the community in the early hours of Sunday.

“I urge residents to remain calm as security operatives are now in control of the situation,” the governor said.