*Police Assure To Arrest Perpetrators
Following the attack on the people of Igangan in Ibarapa zone of Oyo State on Saturday night, the Governor, Engr. Seyi Makinde and the Speaker of the House of Assembly, Hon. Debo Ogundoyin have expressed sadness.
Governor Makinde and Hon. Ogundoyin in their separate statements on Sunday, expressed shock over the incident where over 20 people were killed and several others injured.
The governor, who was briefed about the situation in the early hours of Sunday, immediately called for calm and peaceful coexistence, saying that security operatives have been deployed to take control of the area.
In a statement he personally signed, Makinde said that he was shocked to receive the reports of the attacks, urging residents of Ibarapaland to remain calm.
“I am currently being briefed on the incidents. I urge residents to remain calm as security operatives are now in control of the situation.”
Hon. Ogundoyin, in his message condemned the attack, he described it as unfortunate.
While sympathizing with the families who lost their loved ones and properties, the Speaker appreciated the security personnel, vigilantes, Amotekun corps, local hunters and brave men that rose in the middle of the night to combat the bandits and save further loss of lives of our people.
“Early this morning I received distressed calls of fresh attack on our people in Igangan, Ibarapa North Local Government by bandits and suspected criminal herders in which some residents were allegedly killed, some injured and properties burnt.
“I condemn this unfortunate attack and sympathize with the families who lost their loved ones and properties. I also appreciate the security personnel, vigilantes, Amotekun corps, our local hunters and brave men that rose in the middle of the night to combat the bandits and save further loss of lives of our people,” Hon. Ogundoyin said.
The Speaker, while appealing for collective responsibility to protect lives and properties of the people in the communities from the evil doers, called the security agencies- the Nigerian Police, Operation Burst, Amotekun Corps, Vigilante Groups, Local Hunters, Community Leaders within and around Ibarapaland for an urgent security meeting.
Meanwhile, the Police in Oyo State has also announced its readiness to arrest the situation and bring the culprits to book.
According to a statement by the Police Public Relations Officer, Oyo State Command, DSP Wale Osifeso, expressed that the Police had combed and is still combing the area in search of the culprits.
He said that the state’s Commissioner of Police, Ngozi Onadeko, had led a team of policemen and top Security Advisers of Governor Makinde, including retired Commissioner of Police Fatai Owoseni, on an assessment tour of the affected areas on Sunday.
“The team reported that calm has returned to the area while investigations continue in a bid to get to the roots of the matter,” he said.
Osifeso stated that the attack took place around 11pm on Saturday, June 5, 2021, adding that some yet to be ascertained number of assailants invaded Igangan town with dangerous weapons in a bid to create unrest in the town.
“The unscrupulous elements were, however, repelled by a combination of Police Operational and tactical assets in concert with local hunters and vigilantes.
“Normalcy has since returned, as on the spot assessment is in process.
“Furthermore, the situation is being closely monitored and comprehensive investigations are ongoing to apprehend the perpetrators,” Osifeso said.
