Northern govs in Ibadan over ethnic tension, IGP deploys special squad

Following rising ethnic tension in Ibadan, Oyo State, after the Shasha market clash, Governor Abubakar Bagudu of Kebbi State, on Monday led Governors Abdullahi Ganduje (Kano), Abubakar Bello (Niger) and Bello Matawalle (Zamfara) into a meeting with Governor Seyi Makinde (Oyo) at the Oyo State Government House, Ibadan.

The Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Mohammed Abubakar Adamu, also on Monday ordered the immediate deployment of Police Intervention and Stabilisation Forces to Oyo State to reclaim the public space, reinforce security and bolster public confidence in the areas affected by the recent crisis in the state.

This was contained in a statement made available to newsmen in Abuja by the Force Public Relations Officer (FPRO), Frank Mba.

The governors, who arrived at 7.03pm, were subsequently led into a closed-door meeting by the host governor, Makinde, which was rounded off after some minutes.

The meeting with Makinde has to do with the Shasha market crisis with the governors billed to make an on-the-spot assessment visit to the market on Tuesday.

The governors are also billed to meet with various stakeholders in the crisis on Tuesday, with a view to arriving at amicable resolutions.

Others present at the meeting are Special Adviser to the governor on Security, Mr Fatai Owoseni; Special Assistant to the governor on Community Relations (Arewa Community), Alhaji Ahmad Murtala; Serikis representing Hausa communities, among other stakeholders.

The police statement said, “The deployment, consisting largely of intelligence and operational assets of the force include four units of the Police Mobile Force (PMF), seasoned operatives from the Force Intelligence Bureau and one operational/surveillance Police helicopter from the Police Air-wing department.”

It explained that the “Intervention Force is charged with the responsibility of reinforcing and stabilizing security in the state, preventing further breakdown of law and order, protecting lives and properties and ultimately enhancing public safety and general security in the state.”

According to the statement, “the intervention force is being coordinated by a Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG), David Folawiyo, who is expected to mobilize all relevant stakeholders towards achieving the mandate of the squad.”

It further added that the IGP assured that the force was committed to the safety of lives and properties of the citizens in the country and called on the citizens and residents of Oyo State and other Nigerians to embrace peace and cooperate with the police and the security community as they redouble their efforts in ensuring that sustainable peace and security were restored to the affected areas.