Yoruba groups disagree over Igangan attacks

Following Sunday attacks in Igangan in Ibarapa, Oyo State, the apex leader of the umbrella body of Yoruba Self-Determination Groups, Ilana Omo Oodua, Emeritus Professor Banji Akintoye, on Monday cried out over alleged declaration of war on Yoruba land by suspected terrorists.

He noted that the Sunday’s attack where scores of farmers were killed was “a declaration of war against the peace-loving Yoruba People.”

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The Yoruba leader accused the Muhammadu Buhari led federal government of backing killer herdsmen that have been maiming, killing and raping the Yoruba people and exterminating their properties.

Akintoye, in a statement called on the Yoruba people to arm themselves with whatever they can lay their hands upon to defend their land against external aggression.

But the Yoruba leader was swiftly countered by another group, the Yoruba Welfare Group (YWG), which warned that Akintoye’s accusation of the federal government was rather hasty.

The YWG through its President, Comrade Abdulhakeem Alawuje, spoke after a visit to the troubled community.

Alawuje wondered why Akintoye, who is not in Nigeria and has never visited the community, concluded the attack was carried out by the Fulanis with the collaboration of the federal government.

“Prof Akintoye should refrain from toying with Yoruba lives and properties, Yoruba land needs more committed security than political manipulations.

“We should rather combine all our strength in Yorubaland to come together with some of those who are professional security with national and international experience to rescue our land. We need to start moving beyond what the Amotekun knows about security,” he said.

Alawuje commiserated with the monarch and the people of Igangan town even as he called for restraint and caution against any reprisal.

Worried by the news of the latest attack, Alawuje tasked security agencies to step up action and quickly arrest the perpetrators to prevent people from taking laws into their own hands.