Igangan/Fulani Crisis: Town Presents Evidence, Alleges Herders Collected N50m Ransoms, Raped 15 Women
Residents of Igangan in the Ibarapa area of Oyo State on Sunday recounted their ordeals in the hands of Fulani herdsmen. The community leaders, who spoke during a visit of the state government delegation to the town, stated that they had paid a total of N50m as ransoms for kidnappings carried out by herdsmen in the community. The community also presented to the delegation, pictures and other evidence of ransoms paid to the herdsmen. They accused the Seriki Fulani of complicity in the negotiation of ransoms. The delegation comprising officials of the state and the new Commissioner of Police in the state Command, Mrs Ngozi Onadeko, on Sunday visited Ibarapa where violence erupted on Friday over kidnappings and killings by herdsmen. During the crisis, the Seriki Fulani of Igangan and his family members were evicted from the town and their property touched. According to a statement by the Chief Press Secretary to state Governor, Mr Taiwo Adisa, Igangan community leaders on Sunday stated that besides the payment of N50m as ransoms, 15 women were raped by the herders in the town. Fulani leaders, who attended the meeting, begged for forgiveness, saying the Fulani were ready for peaceful co existence with their hosts.
The Commissioner of Police, who led senior police officers, including Deputy Commissioners of Police and Mobile Police Commanders on a tour of Igangan, Tede and Ago Are communities, urged the residents to toe the path of peace. She expressed the readiness of the police to carry out a thorough investigation to ensure justice for victims of kidnappings, rape and other crimes committed in the areas. The Special Adviser to Governor Seyi Makinde on Security, Commissioner of Police Fatai Owoseni (rtd), who led the government’s delegation, urged community.leaders, youths and Hausa Fulani residents to eschew violence and live in peace.
