Oyo's Alaafin accuses the police of assisting herders in attacking farmers

Oba Lamidi Adeyemi, the Alaafin of Oyo, has accused Nigeria Police Force agents of tactically assisting Fulani herdsmen in attacks on the people of Igangan and other parts of Oyo State.

The traditional ruler stated this in a statement issued on Sunday in response to the recent attack on inhabitants of Igangan community in Oyo state's Ibarapa North area.

The Alaafin called the occurrence unfortunate but warned citizens against taking matters into their own hands.

He said that the police were complicit in the deaths by failing to prosecute suspects who had been handed over to them and then releasing them back into society.

“The indiscriminate destruction of life and property, including the Asigangan of Igangan's palace, is quite sad,” he remarked.

“Several Fulanis have been detained and handed over to the police in Oyo State, despite all efforts made to control this ugly menace well before it starts staring us in the face.

The arrested Fulanis are out on the streets 24 hours after being detained for numerous horrible acts, therefore there has been no conviction, let alone diligent prosecution.”

Gunmen alleged to be Fulani herdsmen invaded Igangan community in the Ibarapa North area of Oyo state, killing at least ten people.

According to reports, Fulani herders assaulted the Oyo community at 11 p.m. on Saturday and fled the area early the next morning.

Meanwhile, Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde has reacted to the attack on Igangan in the state's Ibarapa North Local Government Area by suspected herdsmen.

Governor Makinde called the attack "shocking" in a statement posted on his verified Twitter account on Sunday.

The governor, on the other hand, asked locals to remain calm, saying that security forces have taken control of the situation.

“In the early hours of this morning, I received alarming news of the assault on inhabitants of Igangan, Ibarapaland. I'm getting informed on the situation right now.