By Abiola Olawale
The Afenifere, a pan-Yoruba Socio-political group and the Arewa Consultative Forum(ACF), have exchanged fiery words over an alleged incident that led to destruction of Alhaji Saliu Abdukadir, the Serki Fulani’s house in Igangan area of Ibarapa, Oyo state.
Tension escalated on Saturday as both groups traded sharp words with the Yoruba group issuing a counter statement to the ACF for allegedly making inappropriate threats.
The ACF had earlier released a statement, calling on the Federal Government and Oyo State Government to arrest the people who destroyed the house of the Serki Fulani.
According to the statement, the ACF also warned that there would grave consequences should both the federal government and the Oyo State government fail to respond swiftly to the escalating tension.
However, while reacting to the ACF statement, the Afenifere group released a statement, on Saturday. The statement was signed by the National Publicity Secretary of the Afenifere, Mr Yinka Odumakin reads thus:
“While we have gone to a great length to sue for peace and have appealed to our pained people to be law-abiding even with the daily provocations of the Fulani and harassment of our people, we frown at the very arrogant and insulting ACF statement, especially their reference to the event of 1966.
“We must make it clear to them that they cannot threaten us with a war at this stage as we will not provoke war but never are we going to run for anybody on our land. We are miffed that a body like ACF that has never shown any remorse over the killing of our people can open their mouths anyhow now because there are consequences for the irresponsible actions of their people.
“We advise them to call their criminals to order and not expect our people to sheepishly wait to be killed by those who value cow lives more than human beings. We don’t want a repeat of 1966 event but if there are people plotting such event again, the rain will be over their heads.”
It would be recalled that the saga between the Yoruba community and the Fulani community erupted when O’odua Activist, Sunday Adeyemo popularly known as Igboho issued a 7-day ultimatum for herders, who are suspected to be Fulani herdsmen, to vacate Ibarapa.
Following the end of the ultimatum, Igboho made his way to the town. According to reports, the events that followed allegedly led to the destruction of the Serki Fulani’s house.
While reacting to the violence, the ACF National Publicity Secretary, Emmanuel Yawe, released a statement on Saturday, demanding that the culprits should be brought to book else there would be counter attacks in the north.
The statement reads thus:, “The most disturbing aspect of the attack is the allegation that the security agents, who were earlier warned about it’s imminence, stood by helplessly as the attack was carried out. The ACF is worried about this trend and calls on the Federal and State Governments in the South West to move quickly to avert a social upheaval that may destabilize the whole country.
“We recall that the civil war in the 60’s started with attacks and counter-attacks like this. The government must be proactive and stop history from repeating itself. Those who carried out these attacks must be apprehended and due process of the law allowed to take its course. If this is not done, there may be counter attacks in the north and the country will be up in flames. The authorities must act. The ACF is very worried and calls on them to act fast.”
