Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) has warned that the attack on members of Fulani communities in Southwestern Nigeria is a threat to the country’s unity.
The warning by the group is coming on the heel of recent attacks on Fulanis in Oyo and Ondo states.
These attacks followed multiple allegations that Fulanis were the mastermind of rising cases of insecurity in the two states.
While the attack in Oyo State is led by a non-state actor and self-acclaimed activist, Sunday Igboho, Ondo State Governor, Rotimi Akeredolu issued an ultimatum to Fulani herdsmen who graze openly in forest reserves in the state.
Reacting to these developments, in a statement signed by Emmanuel Yawe, its National Publicity Secretary, ACF maintained that the attacks by Yoruba youths were capable of plunging the country into another civil war
While calling on the government to immediately arrest those stoking this violence against Fulanis, the group recalled that the country’s only civil war started with attacks and counter-attacks with a pattern similar to this.
“If this is not done there may be counter attacks in the north and the country will be up in flames,” the group subtly added on a warning note.
Meanwhile, the Muslim Students’ Society of Nigeria (MSSN), B-zone believes the action of Sunday Igboho is an act of arson and insurgency.
HumAngle gathered that Sunday Igboho and his ‘army of boys’ have chased away Fulani residents in Igangan town, Ibarapa North Local Government of Oyo State following the expiration of a seven-day quit notice he personally issued.
The religious society, which covers all 17 states in Southern Nigeria, in a press release on Saturday, argued that the eviction notice to Fulanis is a direct confrontation against the continued existence of the Nigerian state.
“The excesses of Sunday Adeyemo Igboho and his fellows must be curbed outrightly. No single group has a monopoly of violence and as such, eradicating a whole clan from a community should never be seen as a lasting solution to farm invasion, kidnap and murder as experienced in Igangan,” the statement read.
However, the group rained praises on Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State for refusing to throw his weight behind Sunday Igboho, stressing that youths within the region must eschew violence and act within the confines of the law at all times.
“We appeal to everyone concerned and affected one way or the other to be calm and avoid any retaliation whatsoever. Security agencies as a matter of their duty should provide adequate security for the lives and properties of all Nigerians wherever they choose to reside in order for people to go about their legitimate businesses without fear or tension,” the group added.
Police IG Orders Arrest Of Sunday Igboho
Meanwhile, Mohammed Adamu, Inspector General of Police, has ordered Ngozi Onadeko, the Commissioner of Police in Oyo State, to arrest Sunday Igboho and transfer him to Abuja.
The arrest order by the IG, which was confirmed by Presidential Spokesman, Garba Sheu as reported by BBC has not been received well by residents championing Igboho’s stand.
HumAngle reported that Governor Makinde had also vowed to order the arrest of anyone stoking ethnic violence in the state.
But, Sunday Igboho reacted by daring the Governor to arrest him if he can.
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