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The Oyo State chapter of Oodua Peoples Congress (OPC) loyal to the Aare Onakankanfo of Yorubaland, Iba Gani Adams, has condemned the killings and destruction of lives and property in Igangan, Ibarapa North Local Government Area of Oyo State.
The state coordinator of the group, Comrade Rotimi Olumo, while reacting to the attack, said he received a distress call from the Chairman of OPC in that area around midnight that Fulani herdsmen have taken over Igangan town.
Olumo said since the notorious warlord, Isikilu Wakili was arrested by OPC members, there had never been a day in Ibarapa land that innocent citizens are not killed, saying that the security situation in Ibarapa land is very worrisome.
He wondered why the Federal Government will fold its arms and allow Fulani herdsmen to be killing Yorubas on their land.
The OPC coordinator said he was surprised when he heard that the palace of Asigangan of Igangan land was burnt by the Fulani herdsmen, urging both the Federal and State Governments not to fold their hands about the current situation in Ibarapa land.
According to Olumo, the government should give OPC the power to resist the Fulani herdsmen in Oyo State, saying: “We arrested and handed over Wakili to the police some months ago. I can tell you that up till now three of our members are still in police custody because of Wakili.
“I can tell you categorically that it is Wakili’s boys that are behind several kidnappings and other atrocities being committed in Ibarapa land.”
He revealed that he has instructed all OPC members in Ibarapa land to resist any further attack.
The OPC leader also appealed to the Oyo State Government to support and equip Amotekun with so that the organization can tackle thFulani herdsmen.
He also advised members of the public to give useful information to OPC, saying, “we have all it takes- both physical and spiritual to resist Fulani herdsmen in the South West region of the country. The Government should not practise nepotism where the Fulani are shown to be above and superior to other ethnic groups.
“OPC is ready to assist all security agencies in making sure that peace reigns in all nooks and crannies of Oyo State.”
Olumo urged all traditional rulers in the South West to support and compliment the effort of OPC, noting that traditional rulers have vital roles to play in making sure that there’s peace in the South West region.