ACF: Arrest Sunday Igboho Or Northerners Will Retaliate Attack On Fulani In Oyo

The Arewa Consultative Forum has called for the immediate arrest of Yoruba activist, Sunday Igboho, following the alleged invasion and attack on a Fulani community in Igangan, Oyo State, by the activist and his supporters on Friday. 

There was palpable tension in the state after Igboho’s alleged supporters burnt down the residence of the Fulani community’s head, otherwise known as Seriki Fulani, Saliu Abdulkadir.  Eleven cars were also said to have been burnt during the attack. 

The attack reportedly followed the expiration of the 7-day ultimatum Igboho gave the Fulani people to leave Igangan. 

Prior to the attack, Igboho was said to have confronted Seriki Abdulkadir with allegations that his people had been killing indigenes of the community. 

The activist had mentioned Oyo businessman, Fatai Aborode, Alhaja Serifat Adisa and her children, an Igangan prince, amongst people allegedly murdered by Fulani herdsmen in the community situated at Ibarapa North Local Government Area of the state. 

But reacting to the attack on Saturday, the ACF warned that failure by relevant authorities to arrest Igboho and his cohorts may result in reprisal attacks on Yoruba people living in the North. 

Speaking in a statement issued by its National Publicity Secretary, Emmanuel Yawe, the group said the attack was reminiscent of how “the civil war in the 60’s started”.

It said, “There are allegations that one Sunday Igboho an agitator for Oodua Republic and who issued an ultimatum giving Fulani people seven days to leave Yorubaland is the instigator of the attack.

“The most disturbing aspect of the attack is the allegation that the security agents who were earlier warned about it’s imminence stood by helplessly as the attack was carried out.

“The ACF is worried about this trend and calls on the Federal and State Governments in the South West to move quickly to avert a social upheaval that may destabilize the whole country.

“We recall that the civil war in the 60’s started with attacks and counter attacks like this.

“The governments must be proactive and stop history from repeating itself. Those who carried out these attacks must be apprehended and the due process of the law allowed to take its course.

“If this is not done there maybe counter attacks in the north and the country will be up in flames. The authorities must act. The ACF is very worried and calls on them to act fast.”