By Dele Moses, Ilorin
The Sarikin Fulani of Igangan in Ibarapa Local Government Area of Oyo State, Seriki Salihu AbdulKadir, has said that he and his household had been unfairly treated by the violence meted out to them in the community.
Abdulkadir who addressed a press conference in Ilorin on Thursday denied involvement of his family in kidnapping or any other criminal activities in the community.
He however confirmed that the crimes of kidnapping and raping were being committed in the community but said both the Yoruba indigenes of the area and the Fulani were culprits.
The Sarikin Fulani said he had always worked with security operatives in fighting the crimes in the area to the knowledge of leaders and elders of the community.
He said when a Fulani boy was involved in raping he investigated the matter and handed the boy over to the victim’s family
Abdulkadir who said he hails from Ilorin said the insinuations by Sunday Adeyemo popularly known as Sunday Igboho and some people in the community that he aids and abets crimes were baseless and only made with the sole purpose of getting the Fulani out of Igangan and other parts of Yoruba land.
He stated: “I and my family have been living in Igangan for over 50 years without any challenges from anybody either in Igangan or any other places,” AbdulKadir explained.
“When a Fulani boy named Omomogeto was reported to me that he raped someone,I told the vigilante to arrest the Fulani boy. When he was arrested, I investigated the matter and discovered that he committed the offence, I handed him over to the family of the victim. Also,a young lady was raped by an indigene of Igangan last year to the extent that the young lady died in Igangan, nothing was done to the man who raped the young lady.
“There was no case of farm destruction reported to me that I will not send people to go and look at the farm that was destroyed. If discovered that it’s true, I will order the Fulani to pay money to the farmers; i.e the Agoro family in Igangan and many more. I have a record where I’m recording the issues affecting the farmers.
“On the issue of killing of one Dr Aborode, I don’t know anything about it. Where Dr Aborode was killed is very far to my village. It’s about two hours drive to my village; you will pass through Igangan town before you get to where I am.”
The Sarikin Fulani who said seven of his kinsmen died while his property worth millions of Naira destroyed in the violence allegedly unleashed on them by agents of Sunday Igboho called on the Federal Government to investigate the whole matter and ensure the culprits were brought to book.
He stated: “Finally, I want the Federal Government to investigate this matter and anyone found guilty should face the law. My houses, 12 vehicles belonging to myself, my children and some visitors were burnt and seven of my people were killed. The corpses of two were yet to be found and some of my animals were carted away.”
Abdulkadir called for the intervention of th Federal Government as he expressed doubt that the Oyo State government may not be able to do justice in the matter.
