Tension is brewing in Igangan, Ibarapa North Local Government Area of Oyo State due to the quit notice one Sunday Igboho issued to the Fulanis in the area.
The Northerners on Monday appealed to the Oyo government to intervene to forestall bloodletting.
Last Friday, Igboho gave a one-week deadline in protest of incessant killings and kidnappings in the State.
The Yoruba fighter and a number of stakeholders insist Fulani herdsmen perpetrated the crimes and have asked them to vacate.
Last week, Igboho and his foot soldiers stormed Igangan to confront the Seriki Fulani, Saliu Kadri.
The activist explained that he acted on pleas by some Yoruba traditional rulers who said they were tired of the whole situation.
He accused the Seriki of shielding the killers of an Oyo businessman, Dr. Fatai Aborode, Subawah Petroleum owner, Alhaja Serifat Adisa and her two children, a local prince, among others.
On Monday, Kadri urged the state government to take the 7-day ultimatum in all seriousness.
The ethnic head spoke when Governor Seyi Makinde’s aide on Security, Sunday Odukoya, visited Igangan over the matter.
Kadri denied that he and his people had a hand in murder and abuctions recorded in recent months.
He insisted that marauders who enter Ibarapa from Zamfara, Kebbi and other locations were the culprits.
Kadri said the Fulani grew up, married, gave birth, built houses, set up businesses in Yoruba land and would not harm their fellow citizens.
The Seriki recalled times he personally arrested criminals, both Yoruba and Fulani, and handed them over to the police.
Kadri informed the government delegation that last Friday, he suddenly saw Hilux pickup trucks and other vehicles in the area.
“As they alighted, they were asking ‘where is the Seriki? One of them said he’s Igboho, that he believes I must have been hearing about him. He said he’s here to give us seven days ultimatum to leave Ibarapa and Yoruba land. He asked if I’m aware how Fulani was killing and kidnapping people”, Tribune quoted him as saying.
“I was about to tell him that we arrested some Yorubas who were kidnappers, in Igangan and Tapa and they have been handed over to the police. Suddenly they began shooting sporadically and hit four of us, followed by setting our huts in flames.
“He then brought out a gun, put it in his mouth swearing by Ogun’s name, that he must not meet us here at the expiration of the ultimatum. Then they left. We want the government to save us. We may be regarded as visitors despite the number of years spent here but I grew up here.
“I married here, I have children over 45 years old. I have built houses here in Igangan. This place is our source of livelihood, we want the government to save us. We have supported governments over the years. The government should help put our mind at rest.”
Kadir lamented that “a lot” is happening to Fulani in Ibarapa, Oke-Ogun, and Ogbomosho.
Stressing that many of those apprehended were from other nationalities, the Fulani leader hinted that what attracts the attackers is the mining spot in Igangan.
He further complained that the assailants “steal our cows too”.
In his remarks, Odukoya said the government had commenced an investigation into the threat and invasion of the community.
He stated that those found culpable would be made to face the full wrath of the law.
Odukoya stressed that the government never ordered the law-abiding residents to leave Oyo State.
The official told the Fulani people to remain calm and avoid reprisals.
Odukoya appealed to them to support the government by exposing criminal elements among them.
