IGP orders arrest of Yoruba activist Igboho for alleged violence

Stephen Gbadamosi, Ibadan

Inspector General of Police (IGP), Mohammed Adamu, has ordered the arrest of Yoruba activist, Chief Sunday Adeyemo also known as Sunday Igboho, over the quit order he issued on Fulani herdsmen in Igangan Town in Ibarapa North Local Government Area of Oyo State.

Failure of the Fulani in Igangan to heed the ultimatum reportedly, informed the invasion of the town by Adeyemo and some of his allies on Friday.

The development led to the burning of the compound of the Seriki Fulani in the community, Saliu Kadiri, while about 11 vehicles were reportedly burnt.

Adeyemo reportedly took the action following reports of the kidnapping and killing of some members of the Oke Ogun communities.

The British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC), Hausa Service, quoted presidential spokesman, Garba Shehu, as confirming the arrest order during a programme at the weekend.

Shehu reportedly said that the police inspector general informed him of his directive to the Oyo State Commissioner of Police, Ngozi Onadeko, to arrest Igboho and transfer him to Abuja.

The activist had blamed herders and Fulani, including Kadri, the Seriki Fulani, of being behind the rising insecurity in the area.

The quit notice generated tension in parts of the state, prompting Governor Seyi Makinde to ask the police to arrest those fomenting trouble under the guise of protecting the interest of Yoruba people.

“For people stoking ethnic tension, they are criminals and once you get them, they should be arrested and treated like common criminals,” the governor had told the commissioner of police.

Meanwhile, the Commissioner of Police, Ngozi Onadeko, has assured citizens of protection of their lives and properties, saying the police has begun investigation into the arson and breach of peace in Igangan, Ibarapa axis of the state.

This was contained in a release issued on Sunday on behalf of the police commissioner by the state Police Public Relations Officer, Olugbenga Fadey.

According to him, “this press release is to keep the public abreast of the security situation in Oyo State, especially the Ibarapa and Oke Ogun zone.

“Following the fear of threats to public peace occasioned by the inciting pronouncement of Chief Sunday Adeyemo, aka Sunday Igboho, the Oyo State Police Command, jointly with the ‘Operation Burst’ has 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 16:30hrs on 22 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.

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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 pursued 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.”