ACF to Southwest governors: Apprehend attackers of Fulani now

The Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) has called on governors of the Southwest to quickly apprehend those who attacked Fulani communities in the region to forestall any attempt at counter attack from the north.

The ACF, in reaction to the attack by some youths on Alhaji Saliu Abdulkadir, the Sarkin Fulani in Oyo State, stated that it was disturbed by the report that the Sarkin Fulani was attacked and driven out of his house while 11 cars and his house burnt with his family members now living in the bush.

• Explosion claims 1, leaves 11 injured in Kaduna village
• ACF replies Akeredolu over quit order to Fulani in Ondo

A statement issued by the ACF National Publicity Secretary, Emmanuel Yawe, said it was very worried by the situation and urged all authorities concerned to act fast, stressing that: “If this is not done, there maybe counter attacks in the north and the country will be up in flames.”

Yawe, in the statement, noted that: “There are allegations that one Sunday Igboho, an agitator for Oodua Republic 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 its imminence stood by helplessly as the attack was carried out.”

The Forum called on the federal and state governments in the South West to move quickly to avert what it described as 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,” it stated.

The attack

A woman and two children were reportedly killed on Friday when youths, allegedly led by Sunday Igboho, attacked Fulani communities in Iganga, Ibarapa North of Oyo State as the seven-day ultimatum given to them elapsed.

Daily Trust learnt that security operatives were earlier stationed around the Fulani communities, but they were overpowered by the youths who invaded the settlements and burnt houses and cars.

The Sarkin Fulani, Alhaji Salihu Kadiri, disclosed to our correspondent that his palace and many houses were razed.

“As I am talking to you, I am hiding somewhere in the bush.

“We fled for our lives when we learnt that they were coming. They burnt my cars and those of my children.

“They also killed an old woman, who I learnt may be my first wife.

“As at now, I cannot give you the details of the people we lost to this attack because we are still hiding,’’ he said.

But one of the media aides to Chief Sunday Igboho, who spoke with our correspondent on condition of anonymity, said the incident must have happened after his master had left Igangan.

He said; “Sunday Igboho was there not to fight but to appeal to both sides and assure Yoruba residents that there won’t be problem.”