Oyo: Culprits Behind Igangan Tension Will Be Brought To Justice – Police

• The Police has blamed the ethnic tension in the state on the rally held by Sunday Igboho
• The Police has appealed to elder statesmen to wade into the crisis with a view to appealing to the restive youths in the area.

YOU MAY ALSO LIKE

• Breaking: Sunday Igboho, Supporters Storm Igangan As Quit Notice Expires
• Oyo: IGP Orders Arrest Of Sunday Igboho Over Quit Notice To Herdsmen
• Sunday Igboho: Why Ibarapa Residents Rejected Fulani Herders

The Oyo State Commissioner of Police, Ngozi Onadeko, on Saturday, appealed for calm in the state, assuring that action will be taken against those behind the recent violence and ethnic tension in Igangan part of the state.

“Investigation into the arson and the breach of the peace, which occurred at Igangan will be investigated to logical conclusion and culprits shall be brought to justice,” a statement issued on behalf of the commissioner by the command’s spokesperson, CSP Fadeyi Olugbenga, reads in part.

The police boss, who blamed the situation in the state on “the inciting pronouncement of Chief Sunday Adeyemo, A.K.A Sunday Igboho”, warned that security agencies will not watch while some criminal elements take laws into their hands.

The statement, however, did not confirm or deny a report that the Inspector-General of Police had ordered Adeyemo’s arrest.

Adeyemo, who had issued a quit notice to herders in the state, on Friday, held a rally in Igangan to buttress his position.

Read also: Oyo Unrest: House, Cars Razed As Irate Youths Attack Fulani Seriki

According to the police, the rally is responsible for the violence which resulted in houses and cars being burnt in the town.

“Following the fear of threats to public peace, occasioned by the inciting pronouncement of Chief Sunday Adeyemo, A.K.A Sunday Igboho, the Oyo State Police Command jointly with the Operation Burst had embarked on visibility/confidence building patrol of the areas concerned.

“Sadly, the relative peace and calmness, being enjoyed, due to the visibility patrols of the Security Agencies were truncated by the visit of Sunday Igboho to Igangan, at about 16:30hrs [4:30 pm] on 22nd January 2021.

“The visit had culminated in a mob action by some youths in the town, who, armed with different types of weapons, embarked on arson and a breach of peace. In the process, grievous hurt was committed against one of the police officers, while discharging his statutory duties,” the police said.

While investigating the situation and trying to prevent a breakdown of law and order in the state, the police appealed for calm.

Onadeko therefore called on well-meaning and peace-loving elders in the community to caution and advise restive youths to sheath their swords and shun violence in addressing the complex situation at hand.

She also urged the youths to avoid being used as pawns to ignite an ethnic war.