An irate President Muhammadu Buhari has endorsed the use of lethal force against Sunday Igboho and his supporters if they continue to “disturb public peace” in Oyo State, two police sources familiar with the matter told journalists Saturday.
Sunday Igboho, whose real name is Sunday Adeyemo, has been at the forefront of a controversial and illegal attempt to drive Nigerians of Fulani origin from Oyo State. The Nigerian Constitution accords all citizens the fundamental rights to live in any parts of the country, but Sunday Igboho and others have been riding on the anger of Yoruba political leadership against rising herdsmen violence to issue confrontational directives of their own.
Sunday Igboho led an army of his followers to Oke-Ogun parts of Oyo State on Friday, leading to a bloodshed that involved the razing of the home and other assets of a famous Fulani chief.
“The president was briefed on the matter and he said Sunday’s action can disturb public peace and it should stop,” a police chief told the Gazette by telephone Saturday afternoon. “We were told from IG’s office that the president has asked for Sunday Igboho and his followers to be shot at sight if they continue pushing to drag Nigeria into a civil war.”
Another police source told the Gazette that police Inspector-General Mohammed Adamu was seeking an alternative approach.
“He does not want to flout presidential directive, but he has been talking to Yoruba leaders to find other means of preventing the matter from escalating,” the senior police officer said by telephone. “A possible trip to the South-west is also on the table.” Both senior officers sought anonymity to discuss internal police communication.
Reviewed by Mgbara Zion Barisuka
on
January 23, 2021
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