The Quest For Self Defence In A Ravaged Land

Blessing Enenaite Leading Stories, Politics 08/02/2021

A farmer is killed on his farmland. It is not the first of its kind and sadly, it is unlikely to be the last. This is the ordeal many citizens face regularly and it is attributed to the activities of Fulani herdsmen.

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The situation has necessitated Sunday Adeyemo – popularly known as Sunday Igboho – to issue a seven-day ultimatum to the herdsmen to vacate the forests and other areas in Oyo state. Furthermore, Igboho is leveraging on self defence as a means to safe guard his people.

Self defense — Sunday Igboho addressing the people (Source: Sahara Reporters)

The herdsmen have killed many farmers from the Igangan community in Ibarapa area of Oyo State. They have destroyed crops as their cattle graze on the farmlands. Meanwhile, the state governor and some others have stated that Igboho is not in the right position to give the herdsmen an ultimatum.

In his reaction, Igboho said:

‘’They are saying I am not in government and that I am meddling with what does not concern me. If there is government and it is not doing what it is supposed to do, the people that voted will rise up. It’s not like I commanded the Fulani to leave our land or that I suddenly said something arbitrarily. For like two weeks now, these Fulani people in Ibarapa have been killing our people. Look at Dr Fatai, who went abroad for many years to work. He made his money, came back to his father’s village in Igangan, built farms and employed people to work with him. Fulani people ate the farm for him. He approached the Seriki of the Fulani that this ought not to be, and they killed him there.’’

Where does the government stand?

The government promises to protect her people but these appear to be mere words without action. The people have lost faith in the government and the emergence of people like Sunday Igboho equates to light at the end of the proverbial tunnel.

No Nigerian is more Nigerian than the other. As much rights as the herdsmen have to graze, so does other Nigerians have to live. When did grazing become series of killing and kidnapping? @MBuhari please be President for all!!!!!
— DeboMacaroni (@mrmacaronii) January 25, 2021

The people of Igangan are staying indoors to avoid clashes due to the tension in the community. Igboho says that since the herdsmen cannot graze peacefully, they should vacate the land.

Crucifying the messiah

The Oyo state governor – Seyi Makinde – has stated that the Fulani herdsmen are allowed to graze peacefully. He also states that he is against the actions of the bandits wreaking havoc in the land.

People have been killed, raped and robbed by these Fulani herders. It will be insensitive for government to arrest Sunday igboho without addressing the root cause of the agitation.
— Tosin🇳🇬🇨🇦👨 (@Ohloowatoscene) January 23, 2021

However, the Inspector General of Police ordered the arrest of Igboho because he was instigating violence among the people.

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Consequently, Igboho stated that since the government has refused to come to their aid, self defence will be the best tool. His outspokenness has pushed him to the limelight and earned him some enemies. Sadly, he became a victim of arson in the same period as he was fighting the cause of his people.

Igboho’s burnt house (Source: vanguardngr.com)

While some are vehemently against self defence, the victims have no other choice. It is of utmost importance that the government rise up to its responsibility so as to bring earn the trust of its people.