The Seriki Fulani of Oyo State, Alhaji Saliu Abdulkadir, on Saturday morning, said he trekked through the forest to Ogun State from Oyo State.
This followed the Friday night unrest in Igangan, Ibarapa North Local Government of Oyo State.
Alh. Abdulkadir told Saharareporters that many of his family members were allegedly shot by the angry youths. He said none of his family members was killed in the fracas.
He said despite assurance by the police and the people of the state, his house was burnt in the presence of security agents.
He said, “As we speak, we are in the bush. Our cars, numbering about 11, have been burnt. Some of my children sustained injuries, and we are looking for a way to get them to the hospital. My children have left their houses for the bush. We need the government to help us. Police, Operation Burst and other security agencies were there when they set my house ablaze.”
When contacted on Saturday morning by Saharareporters, he said, “I am now with my people in Ogun State. I am yet to see my other children but I heard those who were shot are still alive.
“Those boys shot my wife, my son and his wife. They shot one of my neighbours, but we thank God none of them is dead. I walked all through the night in the bush but I am safe here.”
A popular Yoruba activist, Chief Sunday Adeyemo, also known as Sunday Igboho, reportedly stormed the Fulani settlement in the town to eject Abdukadir, and some other herdsmen accused of fuelling security problems in the area.
Addressing the youths, Igboho said, “They started deploying soldiers here yesterday (Thursday). When our people were being kidnapped and killed, there were no soldiers to secure them.
Reacting, the Oyo State PPRO, Mr. Olugbenga Fadeyi, said, “Tactical police teams with Operation Burst are on ground to give maximum security protection while efforts are on to ascertain the situation there.”
Meanwhile, on Friday, Governor Makinde said that his government would not allow anyone hiding under the guise of ethnic interest to perpetrate a crisis in the state, Punch reports.
Makinde added that his administration would not allow anyone to threaten the state’s peace by acting unlawfully as such was against the nation’s constitution.
