The Oyo State Government, on Saturday, debunked reports that it was herdsmen that attacked Ibarapa land Friday evening.
A statement signed by Chief Press secretary to Oyo state government,Taiwo Adisa said community leaders have come out to say that it was not herdsmen but Customs officers that carried out a raid on Ayete, Igangan and Igboora.
It will be recalled that a commander of Amotekun, simply identified as Muri, was gunned down along with others reportedly killed in the town.
“Political and traditional leaders of Ibarapa extraction described the evening raid on the Igbo Ora and other communities by men of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) as unnecessary and not well-thought-out.
“The leaders, including the Olu of Igbo Ora, Oba Jimoh Olajide Titiloye, and the Chairman of Ibarapa North Local Government, Hon. Adeoye Adedoyin, spoke at a meeting held in Igbo Ora with a fact-finding team of the Oyo State Government, led by the Executive Assistant on Security Matters to Governor Seyi Makinde, CP Sunday Odukoya (rtd).
“The leaders said that it was regrettable that the Customs Service troubled the peace of the area when its men stormed Ibarapaland, shooting sporadically.
“The Olu of Igbo Ora, who was first to speak, said that the Customs’ raid left Igbo Ora and other adjoining towns in disarray following the raid that left three persons, including an Amotekun operative dead.
“The raid left so much turmoil in our communities as the Customs men came, shooting sporadically. Many of our people ran helter-skelter.
“We want it stated loud and clear that our communities, Igbo Ora, Igangan and Ayete are not border towns. Why should Customs turn the communities to theatres of bloodshed and war?” Adisa explained further.
The statement also quoted the Chairman of Ibarapa North Local Government, Hon. Adedoyin, as saying at the meeting that the raid left a sour taste in the mouth, as, according to him, peace had returned to the area following the series of security steps taken by the State and Local Government after the last attack on the area by suspected herdsmen.
“We have received the cooperation of state and non-state actors in our efforts aimed at boosting security. The hunters, Amotekun and other security agencies have been cooperating fully, but we were shocked to hear reports of sporadic gunshots and commotion that ensued after a raid by men of Customs Service.
“That raid is regrettable because it threatened the peace of our area,” the Council Chairman said.
Odukoya, the Executive Assistant to Governor Makinde, in his address, called for vigilance and calm among the people, adding that the community policing and integrated policing initiative of the administration has been effective.
He said that the police in the area have confirmed the death of one Amotekun operative and two other persons following the said raid.
[7/17, 8:46 PM] Abatan: Imagine we sent a letter over a year ago to Lagos Information Commissioner,and some of our colleagues in state governments,they didn’t even acknowledge talk less of reply. Dinner will soon be over for them. Useless fellows
