In an interaction with Globalvoice, the traditional ruler of Igangan, the Asigangan of Igangan, Oba Lasisi Adeoye took a historical dimension into the crisis. According to him, “Fulani and Bororo herdsmen are not the only non-indigenes in this place. We have others like the Igbo people; we have Hausas and people from many parts of the country. For many years, our interaction was cordial. The issue between the herdsmen and farmers stems from the fact that they are all involved with land. The truth is that as Nigerians, we are all entitled to live in any part of the country. The herdsmen deal with cows and these cows graze. On the other hand, farmers till the ground.
“However, farmers would not allow these cows to destroy their crops. There are times when farmers and herdsmen have misunderstanding. But what we have observed is that these herdsmen are usually the ones to blame when such disagreements occur. Here in Igangan, we have no other occupation except farming. We have vast expanse of lands. The Fulani herdsmen do not have designated grazing lands. They go from one place to the other. Except the government gives them specific grazing lands, we cannot give them. My people want them to leave.”
Residents should give us time to implement promises on security—Oyo govt
Special Adviser to Governor Seyi Makinde on Security, Mr Fatai Owoseni said the state governor, Mr Seyi Makinde on his visit to Ibarapa land made a lot of promises on improving security and should be allowed time to implement those promises.
He allayed fears of residents of Ibarapa on the state government not doing enough pointing to the deployment of additional 200 Amotekun personnel to the zone, setting up of Peace and Security committee at the local government level as evidences.
It will be recalled that the state governor also promised to do an identity management scheme and to convene a meeting of traditional rulers in Ibarapa land.
Owoseni said the state government was resolved to do less talking on the issue of security in Ibarapa land and allow the implementation of planned actions speak for themselves.
Owoseni said,
“I won’t be able to speak to you on that. We have said a lot of things about Igangan in these last few days. When the governor went to Ibarapa, he said a lot of things are being put in place so allow some time to see whether those things work or not.
“They have always expressed their fears and they put their fears to the governor and the governor told them the things he wants to do. Why won’t you allow the process first and see whether it works or not? It’s not about talking all the time.
“Things were done immediately like more Amotekun personnel have been added to the place and there are others, so we can do a review after some time.
“The governor has allayed their fears enough. Security issues are not what you talk about everyday. Who in Nigeria will say he or she is not afraid?”
