Do not fear, we’re Investigating Igboho, others — Police

Police also said no one was killed during the attack on the settlement of Sarkin Fulani of Oyo state

The Oyo state Commissioner of Police, Ngozi Onadeko on Sunday urged the people of the state to be calm, saying the police is on top of the situation in Igangan.

She said the state command has commenced investigation into the alleged arson and breach of peace by Chief Sunday Adeyemo popularly called Sunday Igboho and other youths in Igangan.

• 24 hours after IGP directive: Igboho still walks free, as victims recount ordeal
• Council chairman, nephew killed by gunmen in Taraba

The Commissioner who spoke through the state public relations officer, Olugbenga Fadeyi confirmed that nobody was killed in Igangan during the said attack on the settlement of Sarkin Fulani of Oyo state, Alhaji Saliu Abdulkadir.

Though police did not mention amount of properties destroyed by the youth but however said there was nobody killed in the arson.

Fadeyi said; “Following the fear of threats to public peace, occasioned by the inciting pronouncement of Chief Sunday Adeyemo, A.K.A Sunday Igboho, the Oyo State Police Command jointly with the Operation Burst had embarked on visibility/confidence building patrol of the areas concerned.

“Sadly, the relative peace and calmness, being enjoyed, due to the visibility patrols of the Security Agencies were truncated by the visit of Sunday Igboho to Igangan, at about 1630hrs on 22nd January 2021.

“The visit had culminated in a mob action by some youths in the town, who, armed with different types of weapons, embarked on arson and a breach of peace.

“In the process, grievous hurt was committed against one of the Police Officers, while discharging his statutory duties.

“It is necessary to state that, in handling the situation, Security Operatives applied extreme caution to avoid casualty and to avoid the situation from degenerating to a complete breakdown of law and order.

“Be that as it may, the Commissioner of Police, Oyo State Police Command would like to appeal for calm.

“Well meaning and peace loving elders in the community are enjoined to caution and advise restive youths to sheath their swords and shun violence in addressing the complex situation at hand.

“The youths should avoid being used as pawns to ignite ethnic war. At no time has violence been used as weapon to address security challenges.

“It is also necessary to mention that, substantial numbers of suspects (of different ethnic backgrounds) were arrested in connection with virtually all the cases of kidnapping or assassination, which had occurred in the State.

“Some have been arraigned in the Court of Law and being remanded in Correctional Facilities, while investigations are still ongoing in some of the cases.

“The Commissioner of Police would like to reiterate that the Security Agencies will not watch while some criminal elements take laws into their hands.

“Investigation into the arson and the breach of the peace, which occurred at Igangan will be investigated to logical conclusion and culprits shall be brought to justice.

“Once again, the Commissioner of Police calls for calm and solicit the support of the good people of Oyo State in ensuring that we keep the State safe and secure, please.”

Arrest Order

Daily Trust reports that the Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Adamu had ordered the Oyo State Police Commissioner to arrest Sunday Adeyemo aka (Igboho) over the purported role he played in the attack on Fulani communities at Iganga, Ibarapa LGA of Oyo state.

Igboho, who had earlier issued a seven-day quit notice to Fulani in the area, reportedly led his supporters to the palace of the Sarkin Fulani of Oyo State, Alhaji Saliu Abdulkadir, on Friday where “they killed three people and razed houses and cars, forcing Fulani resident in the area to flee.”

The incident has led to reactions from different quarters with many calling on governors of the South-West to quickly apprehend those behind the attack to forestall retaliations or further escalation of the violence.

Others like the former governor of the state, Otunba Adebayo Alao-Akala advised Governor Seyi Makinde to convene a council of state meeting to brainstorm on the security challenges facing the state.