ENUGU, Nigeria (VOICE OF NAIJA)- Yoruba nation activist, Chief Sunday Adeyemo, popularly known as Sunday Igboho, has raised the alarm over renewed violence in Igboho, Orelope Local Government Area of Oyo State, following the killing of three farmers in an attack allegedly carried out by suspected Fulani herdsmen.
Igboho disclosed that the victims Aderoju Mukaila, Olawuwo Saka, and Ojeniyi Ojebayo were attacked while attempting to prevent cattle from destroying their farmlands in the Oke-Ogun axis of the state.
According to him, the farmers sustained severe injuries during the confrontation and were rushed to hospital, where they later died despite medical intervention.
Reacting in a statement on Monday, Igboho appealed to President Bola Tinubu to urgently intervene, warning that unchecked insecurity in rural communities across Oyo State and the wider South-West could degenerate into large-scale unrest.
The statement reads in part: “On Sunday, three innocent people were killed in my town, Igboho.
“This is exactly what I have been warning the government about for years. Nothing has changed, and our people continue to suffer attacks while those responsible roam freely.”
He lamented what he described as the worsening security situation in the Oke-Ogun axis, saying residents of Igboho and neighbouring communities now live in fear.
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“The government and relevant security stakeholders must do more to adequately protect lives and property in the Oke-Ogun axis, where insecurity has become a daily reality for residents of Igboho and neighbouring communities,” he said.
Igboho further accused criminal elements, including rogue herders and bandits, of infiltrating forests and rural settlements across the South-West and adjoining parts of Kwara and Kogi states.
“I have repeatedly raised the alarm over the inimical activities of rogue Fulani herders, bandits, and hoodlums who have infiltrated rural settlements and forests across the South West, as well as parts of Kwara and Kogi states,” the statement added.
Calling for decisive action, he urged the Federal Government and security agencies to deploy intelligence-driven operations to stem further violence.
“It is now imperative for the Federal Government, under the leadership of President Bola Tinubu, and the nation’s security agencies to deploy effective measures to tackle insecurity, particularly the deadly activities of these criminals,” Igboho said.
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He warned that continued inaction could push affected communities to a breaking point.
“Those affected by killings and violent attacks, along with their relatives, are now in a state of despair because their tolerance has reached its elastic limit.”
Igboho cautioned that failure to act swiftly could result in residents resorting to self-help.
“The Federal Government and security agencies must take decisive action before residents feel compelled to take the law into their own hands to defend themselves.”
He concluded by demanding the arrest and prosecution of those responsible.
He said, “Hoodlums and other non-state actors responsible for attacks and killings of helpless farmers and local residents in South West communities must be promptly arrested and made to face the full weight of the law for their heinous crimes.
“Actionable intelligence should be deployed by security agencies to nip attacks, violence, and criminal activities in the bud, with a view to safeguarding lives and property in our communities.”