TheCable

Rotimi Akeredolu, governor of Ondo state, has described the attack on Igangan, a town in Oyo state located in Ibarapa area, as “horrendous, callous, and highly provocative”.

On Saturday night, 15 people were reportedly killed when gunmen attacked the town.

Igangan has been under the spotlight for years, with clashes erupting intermittently between farmers and herders, resulting in deaths and life-threatening injuries.

In a statement issued on Sunday, Akeredolu, who is the chairman of the south-west governors’ forum, said the region will not condone such “savage” attacks on its people.

“We have just received with rude shock premeditated attack on our people at Igangan, Ibarapa, Oyo State, in the early hours of today. This cowardly onslaught on a peaceful community has occasioned loss of lives and property on a large scale. It is horrendous, callous, and highly provocative,” the governor said.

“All well-meaning Nigerians must condemn, in the strongest term possible, this latest assault on decency and communal harmony.

“While we will encourage the security agencies to get to the root of this latest act of provocation, we have directed the Commanders of the South West Security Network, Amotekun, to convoke a joint security meeting of all Commanders in the South West with a view to commencing joint operations in the region immediately.

“We must reiterate the fact that certain elements are bent on causing friction among the peoples of this country with the sole aim of achieving a pernicious end. They will stop at nothing until their set goal is realised. It is, therefore, incumbent on all lovers of peace and freedom to rise against this current regression into savagery.

“We on our part are resolved to defend our people, their property, and all legitimate means of livelihood against both internal and external aggression. On this, there will be no compromise.

“We call on our people to remain vigilant and report any suspicious movement in their communities. In addition, they must be united in the task of defending our lives and properties.”

Meanwhile, the police has said it is investigating the attack, while Seyi Makinde, governor of Oyo state, has called for calm, adding that the perpetrators will not escape justice.