Gunmen attack Igangan, Oyo community again, kill 20 people

Gunmen have killed about 20 people in an attack on Igangan in the Ibarapa North Local Government Area of the Oyo State.

This is coming less than a week after the Chairman of Amotekun Corps in the state, General Kunle Togun (retd) raised the alarm that some foreign herders were planning to unleash terror on the South-West states.

The gunmen were said to have struck at midnight setting houses ablaze and killing people.

The Palace of the Asigangan as well as a popular petroleum station were not spared. They were razed by the suspected bandits numbering 50, who were said to have invaded the town riding on more than 20 motorcycles.

Spokesperson for Igangan people, Mr Taiwo Adeagbo, confirmed the hoodlums set ablaze the palace of the monarch.

Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, called for calm.

“I have received the shocking news of the attacks on residents of Igangan, Ibarapaland, in the early hours of this morning. I am currently being briefed on the incidents. I urge residents to remain calm as security operatives are now in control of the situation,” he said.

Former caretaker chairman of the council, Mr Tunji Omolewu, who confirmed the attack, said he rushed down to Igangan this morning on hearing the report.

He said, “I got a call around 11pm. We were on our way from Ekiti where we had gone to do the Yoruba nation rally. I got to Ibadan around 12 am and when the calls did not stop coming, I decided to come home. I have counted more than 20 dead bodies. The palace of our monarch was torched. Adolak filling station too was burnt.”

Also confirming the attack, a former caretaker chairman of neighbouring Ibarapa Central, Yemi Akinlabi, said, “It is so sad. Only a few days ago, our people got an intelligence report and forwarded it to the appropriate quarters for actions but here we are today. Are we going to continue to live in fear in our land? I have spoken to General Toogun about last night’s incident and we would want him and his team to do something. Our people must not be allowed to resort to self-help.”