The Head of Fulani community (Seriki Fulani) in Igangan, Oyo State, Saliu Abdulkadri, has said he is on a short visit to the north following the Igangan/Fulani crisis last week Friday.
He said while he was received by his kinsmen in Ilorin, Kwara state capital, his family members have now settled temporarily therein.
Recall that there was violence at Igangan on Friday when a popular Yoruba freedom fighter, Sunday Adeyemo, well known as Sunday Igboho, alongside his followers, stormed the Fulani settlement, causing Abdulkadri and his men moved out of the ancient town after the expiration of the seven-day eviction notice given to killer herdsmen in the community
The Yoruba Activist had accused the Seriki Fulani, and herdsmen of perpetrating crimes ranging from kidnappings, killings, rape to invasion of farmlands with their cattle.
But when asked about efforts made to reconcile with the community, he said, “I have not been called for any meeting as we speak. If we are asked to return to Igangan where are we going to live? My house and vehicles had been completely razed.
“But if given the opportunity to return to the community I would consider moving back to Igangan.
“When we were sent out of Igangan, we moved to Ilorin in Kwara State. As we speak I am in the north, but my children are in Ilorin. I have a building in Ilorin.”
On his message to the people of Igangan, he said, “I don’t have anything to say because I did not offend any member of the community. The hoodlums who are indigenes of Igangan were once arrested, and they are still at the Agodi Correctional Facility in Ibadan. Their ringleader is called Janbele; he is with the police now. That is one of the issues that are causing animosity between us and members of the community.”
On the killing of the Dr Fatai Aborode, a prominent farmer and native of Igangan, he said, “On the day when Fatai was killed, the hoodlums held both the Yoruba and Fulani people hostage. They all witnessed as Fatai was pleading and assuring them that he was ready to pay any amount as ransom. His killers were said to have refused to accept his money.”
He explained that the relationship between his family and members of Ile Alagbede, from where the deceased hailed from was very warm and cordial.
“My family relate well with members of Fatai’s family. They are our friends and we maintained a healthy relationship. My daughters usually worked on his farm during harvest time.”
He also denies involvement in kidnapping.
Meanwhile, Abdulkadri had said he and his household had been unfairly treated.
Abdulkadir at a news conference in Ilorin on Thursday denied involvement in kidnapping and other criminal activities in the Oyo community.
He said seven of his kinsmen died, while his property worth over N500m was destroyed in the later violence
He said, “My houses, 12 vehicles belonging to myself, my children and some visitors were burnt and seven of my people were killed.”
Confirming that kidnapping and raping were committed in the community, the Seriki Fulani but said both the Yoruba indigenes of the area and the Fulani were culprits.
The Sariki Fulani said he had always worked with security operatives in fighting the crimes in the area to the knowledge of leaders and elders of the community.
“There was no case of farm destruction reported to me that I will not send people to go and look at the farm that was destroyed. If discovered that it’s true, I will order the Fulani to pay money to the farmers.”
He said when a Fulani boy was involved in raping, he investigated the matter and handed over the boy to the victim’s family
“I have been living in Igangan for over 50 years without any challenge from anybody either in Igangan or any other places.”
He called on the Federal Government to investigate the allegations to ensure that the culprits are apprehended and justice is served.