A group, the Yoruba Appraisal Forum, YAF, has called on security agencies in Nigeria to take action against people fermenting trouble in Oyo State and across the South-West of the country.
In reaction to the recent violence in Igangan, Ibarapa Local Government Area of Oyo State, the group’s National Coordinator, Adesina Animashaun, in a statement said those causing trouble were doing it in the guise of fighting for the freedom of Yoruba land.
The group said that the quit notice to some Nigerians by some individuals in the South West, which resulted in the recent violence, was uncalled for and could destabilise the country.
“We are aware that those behind the recent violence in Ibarapa, Oyo State, have a more sinister objective of destabilising the Nigerian nation for the selfish political end of their sponsors and paymasters, but merely covering up their agenda with the cloak of fighting for Yoruba freedom.
“This is the most irresponsible and unpatriotic! The police authorities and other security agencies must act now and waste no time in going after these hoodlums masquerading as freedom fighters in the South-West.
“YAF want to challenge the security agencies to unmask both the local and foreign sponsors of these agents of violence” the statement read in part.
The group noted that the South-West region is still trying to recover from the losses experienced from the ENDSARS protest and do not need any more losses.
“Yorubaland is still grappling with the unimaginable aftermath of the last October #EndSARS protests. The large scale destruction in many parts of the South-West is still shocking to many Nigerians, as it remains unprecedented.
“Remember that the huge losses recorded by the South-West in terms of burnt properties worth trillions of Naira, not to talk of invaluable human lives destroyed, due to the October 2020 violence that followed the #EndSARS protests are still fresh in the people’s minds and Yorubaland can no longer afford to lose more to the unpatriotic and evil activities of hoodlums masquerading as freedom fighters”. It added
It would be recalled that last month, at Igangan in Ibarapa North Local Government Area of Oyo State, residents led by Yoruba nation ‘agitator’, Sunday Adeyemo, also known as Igboho, attacked a Fulani settlement in the town.
Mr Adeyemo had earlier issued an ultimatum to Fulani community in the Ibarapa axis of the state to vacate the area or produce the suspected kidnappers and murderers among the Fulani.
He alleged that the killings and kidnappings in the area are being perpetrated by some Fulani who are known to the Fulani community leadership.
Governor Seyi Makinde, in a broadcast, had said that he would not “Make any law-abiding resident of Oyo State feel unsafe in their homes, farms, or business places. We are aware of some people circulating flyers and giving people ultimatums to leave their land. This is totally unacceptable and will not be condoned.” he stated.
PIAK
