In this interview with TUNDE OYEKOLA, the Seriki Fulani of Ibarapa, Oyo State, Alhaji Salihu Abdulkadir, speaks about his eviction from Igangan, Ibarapa North Local Government Area, following allegations of killings and kidnappings against Fulani in the community

You said you have been in Igangan in the last 50 years; when were you installed as the Seriki?

I have been in Igangan for more than 50 years. I was installed as the Seriki Fulani of the entire Ibarapa area in 1992 and in 2018, the Alafin of Oyo installed me as the Seriki Fulani of Oyo state.



How will you describe the relationship between your people and the people of Igangan?

There was a cordial relationship between us; we were living in harmony. I don’t know what caused the present strain in our relationship; it is not clear to me. But what I noticed is that the Ibarapa people suddenly didn’t want to see Fulani people around again. There was no quarrel between us; but I observed recently allegations that Fulani people were behind the kidnapping of the people in the area, which is a lie. From my findings, the people in Igangan were behind most of the kidnapping in the area. The indigenes were responsible for the kidnapping of the people and it came to a point that some of the victims were escaping from them. They then resorted to keeping the victims in their homes while negotiating for ransom with victims’ relations. I then made efforts to report them to the police both in Ibarapa and at the police headquarters in Ibadan.

There was one incident in which a Fulani man was abducted. We arranged for several vigilantes who discovered the house where the man was kept. Eight suspects were arrested in connection with the crime through police investigation. Out of the eight suspects, six are still in the police custody. One of them escaped but was rearrested. He is still with the police; he has not been taken to court. Four of those arrested are detained at Agodi Prison as I speak with you.


One of the allegations against you was that you were kingpin to Fulani kidnappers in Ibarapa and you shielded them . What is your reaction to this ?

This allegation is false . Whoever said so should come out and say it to my face. The person should name the people that I negotiated with kidnappers to release . I will be happy to see such a person who can come out and present a proof that I served as a negotiator and collected ransom for the kidnapers .
There is nothing like that . I have been the person reporting cases of kidnapping of both Yoruba and Fulani victims in the area. The records are there with the police both in Eruwa and Ibadan . People should take the pain to find out . How can I be a godfather to the kidnappers ?
Majority of kidnapped victims in Ibarapa were Fulani people and if I count them, they are up to 24 . Among them were those killed after the kidnappers collected ransom. On the other hand, the number of Yoruba that were kidnapped in Igangan cannot even be up to four.

You mean the Yoruba indigenes were kidnapping Fulani herdsmen?

Yes , it was collaboration between Fulani and the Yoruba people in the area .

Was the traditional ruler in Igangan aware of these Kidnappings ?

I reported all these cases to him . Any time I heard of any incident , I made a report to him .

Did you ever meet with Sunday Igboho before he came to Igangan?

No , I didn ’ t know him but Jambele invited Sunday Igboho to Igangan . Jambele is one of the kidnappers .

Is it true that three of your boys fired gunshots while you were having a discussion with Sunday Igboho ?

That didn ’ t happen; if we had a gun that day , we would have fought back . In my house no one can shoot. My kids are educated; I have one abroad , six are university graduates . The least educated is a secondary school graduate.
But there was a claim that one of your boys fired a gunshot and you said it was a mistake .
Nothing of such happened . As I said earlier , we do not have a gun ; we don ’ t know how to use it.
Is it true that some Fulani set a cocoa farm owned by a Yoruba farmer on fire in Igangan?
There is no cocoa farm in Igangan . I have never seen a large cocoa farm since I settled in Igangan .

Did you make any effort to inform the Oyo State Government about the quit notice issued to you by Sunday Igboho ?

I did my best . Immediately the incident happened , I went to the Deputy Governor , who , I believe , is a brother to Sunday Igboho, because they are from the same community. The Deputy Governor assured me that nothing would happen to me. I also went to the Commissioner of Police who assigned policemen to guard me. But few days to the expiration of the ultimatum by Sunday Igboho, I noticed that the policemen disappeared . A day to Sunday Igboho ’ s arrival , the Area Commander invited me and told me to settle the matter with Sunday Igboho amicably. But about five hours to the arrival of Sunday Igboho and the Area Commander , the Area Commander called me and told me to come and meet them. Then a soldier informed me of the ambush that Sunday Igboho had planned for me. Before I knew it, people bombarded my house with weapons and they burnt my house and killed six people. I also lost my only brother during the attack . We were only two from my mother . My brother was killed in the attack and up till now we cannot go to the place to bury him .


Can you quantify what you lost during the attack ?
We lost seven people , including my only brother; I lost 207 cows , apart from other animals. Most of my sheep , goats , turkey and chicken were gone . I am a good turkey breeder in my farm . They burnt all my houses and nine posh vehicles , including a Toyota Venza , Lexus SUV, Toyota Camry and a pick - up truck , as well as other vehicles belonging to other people in my household .

Since you vacated Igangan and came to the northern part of the country , what has been your experience ?

All I can is that I am still alive and I eat , even though I ’ m heartbroken and depressed. The food we eat and the clothes that my wives and I wear were given to us by the people around us here .

Has the Oyo State Government got in touch with you since you left the state?

No . I haven ’ t heard from the government yet . The police came here from Ibadan and took my statement and that ’ s all. I want the Federal Government to investigate the matter . What is my offence ? I want the government to help me .
Are you the only Fulani family that left Igangan?
Only few Fulani are left in Oyo State . The few ones left are still packing ( to leave ) and I was told they are being sent back by Amotekun. So , I will say all the Fulani have been told to leave . The people (Amotekun) once visited us , killed my neighbour and two of his kids .


What do you know about Dr Fatai Aborode ’ s death ?
I know nothing about it. I was very close to Aborode ’ s father and I once lived in their house , Ile Alagbede. In fact , we have become one family . Where Aborode was killed was very far from my village . It’ s about two hours ’ drive to my village; you will pass through Igangan town before you get to where I am . It is the opposite end of where I live .

It was said that some Fulani cows destroyed Aborode ’s farm and he came to complain to you and after that some Fulani people waylaid him and hacked him to death .
Whoever said such happened should come out and say it to my face. Aborode never came to me to complain . All I heard was that he was ambushed and killed by some unknown people . Even though he pleaded and offered money so his life could be spared , his killers refused. Meanwhile , the person who carried him on a motorcycle was not injured . I also learnt that some people, including some Fulani people who were passing by at the time , were made to lie down by the assailants .

Do you think his killing was political ?
Well , I can ’ t answer that .
Do you wish to go back to Igangan if this problem is settled ?

If the government can assure me of my safety , I would love to go back .
What do you think can be done to stop Fulani ’s cows from eating up farmers’ crops?
Cows must eat grass ; that ’ s certain . But the public notion towards Fulani as kidnappers is wrong and I would never agree or succumb to that because it is false allegation against all of us , Fulani .

You said that cows must feed on grass, is that a justification for them to eat up farmers’ crops?
No , but there is no way that farmers and herdsmen would not cross each other . For instance , a driver would not pray for an accident but it is certain it would eventually happen. It is the same for cow and open grazing. It happens and it’ s sort of a mistake .

Farmers say Fulani don ’ t compensate them when cows eat their crop. Is it true ?

Anyone whose cows eat farm crops and does not compensate the owner of the farm is senseless. If it’ s a deliberate act , it is wrong . Let ’ s look at it , how many farms can cows eat from that would feed or satisfy them? Cows are never satisfied , it’ s not possible . However , I have assisted many farmers to get compensation for the destruction of their farms by cows . There was no case of farm destruction reported to me that I didn ’ t send people to go and investigate the destruction of the farms and whenever we established that it was true, I would order the Fulani to pay money to the farmer . An example was the case of the Agoro family in Igangan and many more. I have a record for the issues affecting the farmers .

What do you wish the government should do to Sunday Igboho ?
I want the government to investigate this matter and tell us what our offence is. As regards Sunday Igboho , I believe whoever kills should be punished under the law .

https://punchng.com/yoruba-not-my-people-behind-kidnappings-in-igangan-seriki-fulani/?utm_term=Autofeed&utm_medium=Social&utm_source=Facebook&fbclid=IwAR3cJwLDouLlmgg_S2A9bXdGon_JPSalxmE4-tKEduKS5ThnuW6R2tG3hXg#Echobox=1614475889

If DSS can tell us lies to cover up your atrocities, who are you to speak the truth?

The fulani king still supports open grazing. He should have condemned it by making statements that embrace ranching.

ok

Shrinnking..or whatever....
Kidnapping has stop since u left.

They have chased you away..deal with it...running your mouth up and down will not solve your problem.

Igangan was overran by these fulanis till Sunday made the move.

They have also overan yewa in ogun state.
Once they pushed them out of yewa, they will come to claim innocent.

That's fullani for you. Once a fulanis is caught, there facial expressions will always make you doubt if they are the one causing havoc.

They will put on this pity look. It's a tactic

A day of reckoning is coming.
the Fulani marauders will get their due reward for the bloodbath they orchestrate all over.

From dude's account, I honestly think Nigeria is better off disintegrated. The only place I had to indict him is nothing going to the police with information about the kidnappers.

Those who luckily came back alive, told us in clear term who kidnapped them. It is always the Fulanis and when some are caught, they are always Fulanis.

Juliusmalema:
Good the man is now speaking because if he remains quiet they will heap all kidnappings done by then on him through the media

He stated clearly who the kidnappers are and not them as widely reported.

This man is a bloody liar even with video showing the shooting and the collection of guns from the Fulani in his compound when Mr Sunday Igboho was discussing with him.

Na Yoruba people give Una mouth,if not, this sahel junkies will not have mouth to talk

Nna mehnnnnnnnnnnnnn


Fulani now giving orders in SW what a shame to yorubas.

Alimi and Afonja come to mind.

According to this Fulani terrorist, Fulanis are very peaceful with no iota of murder instincts in them. Yorubas are responsible for the kidnappings and rapes.

To take his logic one step further, all the kidnappings, rapes and murders being blamed on Fulani terrorists all over Nigeria, are actually being committed by Yorubas.

Easy to see why Afonja could easily be fooled by these terrorists, leading to the loss of Ilorin to the Fulanis

Never suck up to a Fulani makinde won't hear


Now see how seriki is bold to flip the card on Yoruba people

Which of this interview we have not heard before? busybody journalist.

I agree with the man.

Most kidnappers are yoruba people.

Indigenes were the ones committing almost 99% of the crimes but they have found a way to blame it on non indigenes.

I remember the yoruba killer, killing women for rituals.

Was he a fulani man?

thebosstrevor1:
I agree with the man.

Most kidnappers are yoruba people.

Indigenes are the ines committing almost 99% of the crimes but they have found a way to blame it on non indigenes

Cow dunk has taken over 90% of your brain.

Yorubas are the ones who kidnapped Kangara students too, abi? E n shi ere sir.

What do dey call dis der lies? Taqiyya.

Evil set of pple.

See how dey burnt several acres of someone's cashew farm...nd ds one is going to d newspaper to vomit trash.

Demoπs in bodysuits.

speak no more , we all know it's the truth

SouthNigerian:


Cow dunk has taken over 90% of your brain.

Yorubas are the ones who kidnapped Kangara students too, abi? E n shi ere sir.

Is kangara in ibadan?

OfoIgbo:
Alimi and Afonja come to mind.

According to this Fulani terrorist, Fulanis are very peaceful with no iota of murder instincts in them. Yorubas are responsible for the kidnappings and rapes.

To take his logic one step further, all the kidnappings, rapes and murders being blamed on Fulani terrorists all over Nigeria, are actually being committed by Yorubas.

Easy to see why Afonja could easily be fooled by these terrorists, leading to the loss of Ilorin to the Fulanis

I believe that man , Yorubas deserve what they get from these people, Yorubas thought Igbos will be at the recieving end not knowing it will get to them

Juliusmalema:
Good the man is now speaking because if he remains quiet they will heap all kidnappings done by then on him through the media

He stated clearly who the kidnappers are and not them as widely reported.

And you believe him? Fellow Yorubas, can you now see why some of us say Igbos are no less our enemies than even the most murderous and brutal of Fulanis?

A lying Seriki who many, many Yoruba direct stakeholders have claimed is complicit in shielding Fulani criminals and abetting their crime spree is the person this Igbo man called Juliusmalema believes to be the 'truthsayer'?

So the many, many Yoruba victims dont know the difference between Fulanis and their own Yoruba people anymore? I just pity naive Yorubas. They are the reason we are under attack from all sides today.

SouthNigerian:


Cow dunk has taken over 90% of your brain.

Yorubas are the ones who kidnapped Kangara students too, abi? E n shi ere sir.

Won o gbadun pelu.

adeolakemi:
I believe that man , Yorubas deserve what they get from these people, Yorubas thought Igbos will be at the recieving end not knowing it will get to them

Another example Igbos are enemies-within no better than the worst Fulanis.

Imagine this IPOBian ingrate, the OP of the thread by the way, saying the above in bold when Yorubas have given his people their biggest home in the world outside their traditional domain of SE Nigeria?

Yoruba Ronu is now even too cliched to be used anymore. More like "Yoruba, e le gbo gbo wan danu".

thebosstrevor1:
I agree with the man.

Most kidnappers are yoruba people.

Indigenes are the ones committing almost 99% of the crimes but they have found a way to blame it on non indigenes.

I remember the yoruba killer, killing women for rituals.

Was he a fulani man?

Most kidnappers are Yorubas? Interesting. When have Yorubas been known as kidnappers? Yorubas are certainly not innocent but kidnapping?

I think we will first have to go from the usual suspects of ND militants (the originators of kidnapping in Nigeria) and then new age billionaire Igbo kidnappers, like Evans, to then move on to the Fulanis, the current masters of kidnapping in Nigeria today, before any honest and God-fearing Nigerian dare even mention Yorubas.

Nonsense. The North has now boxed itself into trouble because of the ways, mindset and attitude of Northerners that they refused to change.

It will be you hateful ingrates and bigoted lot next. That reality is inevitable. Mark my words.

This man is a bloody liar,at first he said nobody was killed that only properties were destroyed,later he said 4, now he said seven.... maybe next time he will say 10 and another time 20...
Well it's a deliberate attempt to attract sympathy and you will never get it

Idiko1:
From dude's account, I honestly think Nigeria is better off disintegrated. The only place I had to indict him is nothing going to the police with information about the kidnappers.

SMH
People that still pretend to be naive at this stage disgusts me

Oshigun:


Most kidnappers are Yorubas? Interesting. When have Yorubas been known as kidnappers? Yorubas are certainly not innocent but kidnapping?

I think we will first have to go from the usual suspects of ND militants (the originators of kidnapping in Nigeria) and then new age billionaire Igbo kidnappers, like Evans, to then move on to the Fulanis, the current masters of kidnapping in Nigeria today, before any honest and God-fearing Nigerian dare even mention Yorubas.

Nonsense. The North has now boxed itself into trouble because of the ways, mindset and attitude of Northerners that they refused to change.

It will be you lot next and inevitably. Mark my words.

Yoruba kidnappers are all over the place but their media will never report it.


https://www.thecable.ng/my-kidnappers-spoke-good-yoruba-ekiti-oil-dealer-recounts-abdu

Oshigun:


Most kidnappers are Yorubas? Interesting. When have Yorubas been known as kidnappers? Yorubas are certainly not innocent but kidnapping?

I think we will first have to go from the usual suspects of ND militants (the originators of kidnapping in Nigeria) and then new age billionaire Igbo kidnappers, like Evans, to then move on to the Fulanis, the current masters of kidnapping in Nigeria today, before any honest and God-fearing Nigerian dare even mention Yorubas.

Nonsense. The North has now boxed itself into trouble because of the ways, mindset and attitude of Northerners that they refused to change.

It will be you hateful ingrates and bigoted lot next. That reality is inevitable. Mark my words.

No mind the idiots, shebi na Yoruba they kidnap for Zamfara,Niger , Katsina etc
Very annoying set of people
The whole world knows kidnapping is synonymous to Fulani herdmen

thebosstrevor1:


Yoruba kidnappers are all over the place but their media will never report it.


https://www.thecable.ng/my-kidnappers-spoke-good-yoruba-ekiti-oil-dealer-recounts-abdu

I knew how it took you long to bring this link out
Type Kidnapping in Nigeria on Google and see millions of Kidnapping news orchestrated by the Fulanis.

StaffofOrayan:


SMH
People that still pretend to be naive at this stage disgusts me

Africans are inexplicably naïve. It is not pretense but inherent.