Categories: News

Oyo Won’t Be Plunged Into Tribal War Under Me – Makinde

Governor Seyi Makinde

Seyi Makinde, governor of Oyo, says he will not fold his arms and look the other way while some people try to forment trouble and engender ethnic war in the state.

Makinde said his administration will not relent in its effort to rid the states of criminal elements, adding that safety and peace of residents of the state is his priority.

In a statement on Monday by Taiwo Adisa, his chief press secretary, after meeting with leaders in Ibarapa area, Makinde said a repetition of what happened in Rwanda will not be witnessed in the state.

Oyo state has been in the news lately, with Ibarapa the flashpoint, following conflicts between herdsmen and farmers which resulted in killings and kidnappings.

Consequently, a youth leader, Sunday Adeyemo, better known as Sunday Igboho, had also issued a seven-day eviction notice to herders in the area, blaming them for the insecurity.

While meeting Ibarapa residents on Monday, the governor said he’s deeply affected by the situation of things in Ibarapa, adding that he decided to spend a night in the beleaguered town just let the people know they are not alone.

He empathise with the people who have lost dear ones, noting that the government is taking steps to address the situation.

“I decided to spend the night in Ibarapaland, so as to let you know that if my people in this place cannot sleep with two eyes closed, I cannot also sleep with my two eyes closed in Ibadan. We are turning the heat on the criminal elements and we will surely get them,” Makinde was quoted to have said.

“What happened in Rwanda will not be our portion. If anyone wants to ignite war in Nigeria, it won’t be from here and won’t be under my own watch. We will find a solution to the challenges facing us because we know there are challenges.”

The governor also promised that his government will compensate victims of criminal activities, and added that measures taken to address the situation include setting up an all-inclusive peace and security committee at the local government levels, and stepping up intelligence gathering in the area.

Makinde said the stance he took during the crisis was misconstrued, noting that he was not afraid to speak out.

The governor also warned against attempts by some individuals to politicise the crisis

He explained that apart from the immediate deployment of 200 additional Amotekun officers to Ibarapaland, security operatives have been directed to improve on intelligence gathering in the area.

“Some of the problems have been existing for years. It is not all Fulani people that are criminals, I must tell you. Some of those caught after a robbery operation at Okeho were Igbira from Kogi state,” he said.

“So, we must strive and do the work that can keep our environment safe. There are a few things the government has promised to do and the central part of it, which we think will help our situation, is identity management. We want to know who is where.”