The Yoruba Council of Elders and the pan -Yoruba socio-political organization, Afenifere, have said the 7-day ultimatum given to Fulani herders in Ibarapa North Local Government Area of Oyo State could fan the embers of disunity in the country.
But Chief Sunday Adeyemo, also known as Igboho, a Yoruba freedom fighter who issued the ultimatum saidthe ultimatum became necessary following the consistent killings and kidnapping in the zone.
Adeyemo, who spoke on a private radio programme in Ibadan, Oyo State, hinted that the Fulani herders have more sophisticated weapons than the operatives of the Western Nigeria Security Network codenamed Amotekun.
Igboho a popular figure in the South West zone insisted that Fulani herders must fish out the killers of prominent Yoruba sons and daughters.
He regretted that men recruited into Amotekun are educated people who don’t know anything about traditional powers. His words: “Amotekun shouldn’t be for those who are educated but for local traditionalists who are traditionally fortified.
“The government is supposed to involve Are Onakakanfo and other traditionalists like OPC, Agbekoya, local hunters and if I am invited, I’m ready to render help. I have men who can assist if the situation gets out of hand.
“One Jabele called my attention to how Fulani men are maltreating Yoruba in the area and how they are killing, kidnapping and their Seriki collecting ransom from their victims. I intervened after the people and leaders in the area called me to do so.
“When I got there, they complained of the murders that happened lately. They expressed their helplessness and that the situation had become unbearable and they wanted the Fulani herders out.
“I asked about the head, they mentioned Seriki; that no one can confront him. They replied that Seriki is so powerful that when the police arrested his sons, he threatened a crisis within 72 hours. Of course, the police released them.
“When I got to Seriki’s residence, he called a senior Police officer. I said no problem, he gave me the phone. Just then, one of my boys called my attention that a Fulani man had pointed a gun at me, I approached and dared him to shoot. We took the gun.
“Soon after, another person fired a shot. We rushed and grabbed the pump-action gun. Then, I went to Seriki and told him ‘These are guns’. He apologized. At that point, I insisted those who killed Doctor Aborode, Alhaja Serifat Adisa and others must be fished out. His response was ‘I am scolding the boys who did the job’. I said: really?
“What amazed me was the type of vehicles in his compound like Camry, Venza and Range Rover cars of about N15million. I wondered if it was through N80, 000 cows that he made all this money. Such funds can only be through kidnapping.
“The Fulani around Seriki’s compound that day were more than 1,000. They were issuing threats. They said it was their land and asked if we didn’t know the President is one of them. They boasted only Buhari can order them out.
“I further stated if that is the case, you all should leave. If you cannot produce the killers of Dr. Aborode, Alhaja Serifat Adisa, Fatai, and many others, as well those who abducted and beheaded our people.”
