TheCable

Houses were set ablaze on Friday as protesters in Igangan, Ibarapa local government area of Oyo state, attacked settlements inhabited by Fulani groups.

The incident took place shortly after Sunday Adeyemo, a youth leader better known as Sunday Igboho, addressed his supporters in Ibarapa on Friday, and called for herdsmen to leave Oyo communities.

The protesters were said to have set ablaze vehicles and buildings, including the house of Salihu Abdukadir, Seriki Fulani, leader of the Fulani group.

On January 16, Igboho led some youths to Abdulkadir to register displeasure over the recent killings and abductions in the area.

Blaming the attacks and kidnappings in the area on herders, Igboho gave them a seven-day ultimatum to vacate Oyo.

Seyi Makinde, the state governor, had countered Igboho, saying his administration will not accept issuance of ultimatums for any group of persons to leave Oyo.

Makinde had said the enemies of the state are bandits and kidnappers, not herders seeking pasture for their flock.

However, Igboho appeared to ignore Makinde and stormed Ibarapa on Friday, where he was greeted by a crowd of supporters.

Meanwhile, Mohammed Adamu, inspector-general of police (IGP), has ordered the arrest of Igboho.

The Oyo governor has also directed Ngozi Onadeko, commissioner of police in the state, to arrest persons found guilty of stoking ethnic tension.