Hoodlums raze Fulani community in Ibadan

Some hoodlums at the weekend unleashed mayhem on a Fulani community in Oke, Ibadan, in Oluyole Local Government Area of Oyo State, carting away several valuables belonging to the settlers.

Since the incident, the victims have taken refuge in an uncompleted mosque in Ogunmakin, a neighbouring community in Obafemi Owode Local Government Area in Ogun State.

The leader of the community, Alhaji Wakili Inusa Adamu, recalled that the attackers stormed the community in six vehicles in the evening after the men had gone for prayers at Ogunmakin.

Adamu added that the hoodlums, who were heavily armed, shot sporadically before they started the attack but no life was lost.

READ ALSO: Business associate drags Tinubu to court over Alpha Beta finances

“It was only women and children that were left at home when we received calls that some people from Ibadan stormed our community and set it ablaze. They shot from afar as they approached the community and our women and children ran into the bush. They burnt down the settlement which has about 52 houses. They also vandalized our valuables and stole the livestock that we kept at home. But we are grateful to the Almighty God that no life was lost during the attack,” Adamu said.

“We thank God for the Baale of Oja Ibadan who has really helped us. He has helped us to recover some of our livestock looted by some people who took advantage of the attack.

Adamu, however, called on the state and federal governments “to come to our aid. We don’t have food and clothes. We don’t have shelter. We are only sleeping in an uncompleted mosque together with our wives and children.”

He lauded the commissioner of police, Oyo State Command for quick response, the Chairman of the Oluyele Local Government Area, Mr Setu Popoola, for visiting the community as well as the host community for their concerns.

READ ALSO: Fayemi begs hunters, vigilantes to deploy charms to protect states

Halima Muhammed, a victim, while also recounting her ordeal, said that she came from Abeokuta on a visit to her parents at the attacked community to deliver her baby in line with the Fulani traditions.

She was about to return to her husband in Abeokuta when the incident happened and lost all her belongings, including N300,000.

The Baale of Oja Ibadan, Kamorudeen Adeagbo, confirmed that he was the one who assisted the victims to regain more than 30 livestock after meeting with some youths and butchers.

“The attackers are not from our community. We have no issues with the Fulani. We have been living with them peacefully. We work together for the development of our community. What touches them also touches us and vice versa,” Adeagbo said.