Igangan Attack: Local hunters, vigilantes, OPC stood strong to prevent more casualties — Igangan leader, Oladokun Oladiran

By Rifnote

More indigenes of Igangan in Ibarapa North local government of Oyo State would have died on Sunday when suspected herdsmen attacked the town, Convener, Igangan Development Advocate, Mr. Oladokun Oladiran has stated.

Mr. Oladiran stated that the timely intervention of local hunters, vigilante groups and OPC stopped the herdsmen from killing more Igangan natives during what he described as a reprisal attack on the Igangan community and it’s people.

The Igangan Development Advocate convener made this assertion on the weekly Yoruba language program, Yoruba Gbode which airs on Sundays, live via Zoom and YouTube in the United States between 1-4 pm Eastern time.

Mr. Oladiran asserted that the attack which started around 11.00 pm last Saturday caught the Igangan community unawares. He said that the herdsmen invaded Igangan with about 100 motorcycles, carrying Ak-47 rifles, but words quickly went around to mobilize local security operatives like the local hunters and vigilante groups. “They stepped up gallantly”, he remarked.

“The herdsmen killed our people and razed the palace of the Asigangan, a filling station, several cars, shops and houses, but our local security people stepped up, Mr. Oladiran affirmed.

He praised their prompt intervention in defending Igangan and helping to reduce casualty figures, especially against the background of the seeming indifference of established state and federal security apparatuses which did not take or acknowledge emergency calls made to them for help during the attack which lasted about 6 hours.

While expressing contempt at the attitude of the state security not stepping up to protect Igangan, Mr. Oladiran stated that Igangan lost 17 people in the attack, but local self-help groups inflicted casualties on the Fulani herdsmen as well. He said five Fulani herdsmen reportedly lost their lives as the Igangan local self-help groups combed the bushes for traces of the invaders.

Mr. Oladiran condemned the attack on the Oba of Igangan’s palace where he held meetings with his chiefs. But said that the Oba is safe in his personal home.

Yoruba Gbode is a chit-chat musical/guest program in Yoruba which focuses on Yoruba language and pop culture. It is hosted by veteran broadcaster Sola Yusuf Aiwinnilomo (OYO and BCOS of old) and produced by Abolaji Ayobami.