Governors of the six South-west states of Nigeria under the aegis of South-West Governors’ Forum have directed all commanders of South-West Security Network, coded “Amotekun”, to immediately begin joint operations to stem the spate of insecurity in the region. Gov. Oluwarotimi Akeredolu of Ondo State, who is also the Chairman of the forum, made this known in a statement on Sunday in Akure. Akeredolu, who described the attack at Igangan, as “a cowardly onslaught”, urged security agencies “to get to the root of this latest act of provocation”. The forum chairman also called on all well-meaning Nigerians to condemn, in the strongest possible terms, saying, “this latest assault is on decency and communal harmony”.
“We have just received with rude shock a premeditated attack on our people at Igangan, Ibarapa, Oyo State, in the early hours of today. This cowardly onslaught on a peaceful community has occasioned the loss of lives and property on a large scale,” Governor Rotimi Akeredolu said on behalf of his colleagues.
“It is horrendous, callous, and highly provocative. All well-meaning Nigerians must condemn, in the strongest term possible, this latest assault on decency and communal harmony.”
Reports have it that suspected gunmen had on Saturday, attacked Igangan Community, in Ibarapa North Local Government Area of Oyo State, leaving no fewer than 15 people dead.
It was gathered that the gunmen suspected to be herdsmen believing to be carrying out reprisal following their forceful eviction from the town in January by aggrieved indigenous Yoruba population inspired by Sunday ‘Igboho’ Adeyemo, a self-acclaimed Yoruba warlord also set houses, a filling station, and the king’s palace ablaze.
The Yoruba accused Abdulkadir Salihu, and the Fulani families formerly resident in Igangan of masterminding and aiding the Fulani attacks on their people, including kidnappings, murder, rape, destruction of farms, and others. Mr. Salihu however denied the allegations.
