Police Visit Oyo Communities After Gani Adams Alleged Terrorists’ Invasion

The Commissioner of Police, Oyo State Command, Mr Nwachukwu Enwonwu, has embarked on an assessment of the entire Ibarapa/Oke Ogun axis of the state following the alleged invasion of the area by some foreign terrorists.

The Ààrẹ Ona Kakanfo of Yorubaland, Iba Gani Adams, recently alleged that Kishi town and the Old Oyo National Park have been occupied by terrorists.

Adams had claimed that the terrorists have been killing, raping and denying residents access to resources in the forest area.

To ascertain the veracity of the claim, the commissioner of police in Oyo State led a team on a tour of the areas to hold talks with the monarchs, residents and other stakeholders.

The Police Public Relations Officer in the state, Mr Olugbenga Fadeyi, in a statement on Friday said the tour was to assess the situation in the area.

He said, “The emphasis of the tour was to assess the alleged invasion of armed bandits and the incessant crisis between the herders and the farmers.

“At the Area Command Headquarters, Eruwa on the 15th September, 2020, stakeholders from Ibarapa East LGA Eruwa, Ibarapa Central LGA Igboora, Ibarapa North LGA Ayete, including Ibarapa North West LCDA Igangan met.

“The meeting was extensive, traditional rulers, Officers and men, Chairmen of LGAs, PCRC members, Community/youth leaders, Vigilantes, Hunters, Herders, Farmers, Heads of Myetti allah, Seriki Fulani/Hausa were all in attendance.

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The CP sought collaboration of all stakeholders with the police to flush out criminal elements that are bent on disturbing the peace of the Ibarapa area.

” He equally met with heads of farmers/herders including the Seriki Fulani/Hausa and heads of Myetti Allah on the need to avoid incessant clashes as a result of destruction of farmland and retaliation of killing cattle.

“He directed that, the DPOs to ensure the farmers/herders enter into agreement to be drawn up by the O/C Legal, so it will be legally binding on the parties.”

He added that the CP equally had a stakeholders meeting at Iganna Area Command with Oba Soliu Oyemola Azeez, Sabigana of Iganna land and other critical stakeholders from Iwajowa Local Government Area; Iwere-Ile, kajola LGA, Okeho, Iganna LCDA Iganna, Iwa LCDA, Ilero where he warned on the need for peace to reign in the area.

He enjoined all to support the police force and other security agencies. He implored them to always alert the police whenever they see strange faces in their communities.

“In continuation of the tour, on the 16th September, 2020, the CP moved to Oke-Ogun axis. He had a meeting with the Okere of Saki HRM Oba Khalid Oyeniyi Olabisi, Oyedepo III, HRM Oba Dr. Michael Kofoworola Olakanla II, Aare of Ago-are, other stakeholders from Saki West LGA Saki, Saki East LGA Ago-amodu, Atisbo LGA Tede, Wewe LCDA, Asabari LCDA, Atisbo South LCDA Ago-are, Iseyin LGA, Itesiwaju LGA, Otu at the Saki town hall. The Okere of Saki, HRM Oba Khalid Oyeniyi Olabisi, Oyedepo III spoke on the alleged invasion of the armed bandits on power bike.

“The monarch affirmed that the incident occurred outside the borders of Nigeria and it was not allowed to spill into his area.

“He also confirmed the efforts of the police with the vigilantes and hunters combing the forest in their area to ensure the forest is safe.”

The CP assured the communities present of the steadfastness of the police to maintain and ensure peace in Oyo State.

“The assessment tour equally took the CP to Igbeti Area Command, where he had stakeholders meeting with the Onigbeti of Igbeti Oba Emmanuel Oyekan Oyebisi , Iba of Kisi HRM Oba Moshood Aweda Arowoduoye II, representative of Onigboho of Igboho land, Chairmen of Olorunsogo LGA, Igbeti, Oorelope LGA, Igboho, Irepo LGA, Kisi and other critical stakeholders including Heads of sisters’ security agencies within the area, PCRC, religious leaders, Community/youth leaders, the Serikis, Heads of Myetti allah, farmers/herders representatives.

“Top on the agenda was the alleged invasion of the old Oyo National Park by bandits. Suggestions and workable strategies were put in place not only to checkmate the alleged invaders if they exist, but to permanently flush them out of the National Park,” he added.