Oyo Herders Crisis: Sarkin Fulani, Others Under Surveillance In Kwara
Politics Digest – Security agencies in Kwara State are mounting surveillance on the embattled Sarkin Fulani of Igangan, Oyo State, Alhaji Salihu Abdulkadir, following his recent relocation to Ilorin, the state capital.
Also being watched closely by the security agencies are members of Abdulkadir’s family and supporters who moved to Ilorin with him in the aftermath of the January 22 mob attack on his houses and cars in Igangan.
There are now fears of possible reprisals by the Fulani in Igangan itself, forcing the community to impose a dusk to dawn curfew.
Security has been tightened generally across Kwara State, The Nation gathered on Saturday.
Security agencies have been placed on red alert while the heads of Fulani (Jooro) in all settlements in the state have been directed to document and report every case of migration to their areas.
They are expected to keep a register of old and new Fulani migrants in each settlement.
Abdulkadir, sources said, has promised to abide by the rules and regulations of his hosts in Kwara State. The state had been gripped by fears after the Sarkin Fulani addressed a press conference, during which he admitted that he had relocated to Ilorin,
His alleged role as an intermediary for kidnappers, which led to the burning of his house and cars in Igangan, sparked the fears.
Investigation revealed that the Kwara State Government and the security agencies resolved to avert any breach of the state security by the Fulani who are relocating from Oyo State.
A top source, who spoke in confidence, said: “The police and security agencies have mounted surveillance on Sarkin, his relations, followers and other Fulani migrating from Oyo State to Kwara State.
“They have also debriefed Sarkin and his group on the need for peaceful co-existence with the people of the state, especially grazing by herds.
“Security agencies have extracted a commitment from Sarkin that they will integrate well with Kwarans for as long as they stay in the state.
“Other stakeholders, including traditional rulers, have been involved by the state government to engage him and other Fulani herdsmen to live in peace in the state.
“So far, there is no security threat. All is well.
“The state is fortunate to have a new Commissioner of Police and State Director of DSS who are highly-experienced in managing this type of situation.
“And for the migrating Fulani, it is homecoming because of their fellow Fulani in the state. There will be no hiding place for any criminal element in the state.”
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A top government official said: “This is a Northern territory; we cannot ask Sarkin and other Fulani not to relocate from Oyo State to Kwara State.
“In the spirit of one North, our duty is to guide them to live in peace with the people of the state and shun criminal activities.
“There are many Fulani communities and settlements in this state. Blending or integration will not be a problem for Serikin Fulani and others.
“The state government is also not taking things for granted. Sharing boundaries with Oyo State, we anticipated a possible spillover of the security challenges in the state to Kwara State.
“In some cases, the distance between some parts of Oyo State and Kwara State is less than a kilometre.
“And to have access to some parts of Kwara State, you need to pass through some major towns in Oyo State.
“So, the security agencies are on the alert for 24 hours to avert any crisis.”
Another government official said the state has always been proactive.
He said: “We have a system in place where each Fulani head (Jooro) in any settlement must register all the people living there. Each time there is a new Fulani migrant, Jooro will register and inform the appropriate traditional and government authorities.
“The way our structure works is that if a Fulani or a Fulani herdsman commits an offence, he is easily traceable and can be apprehended. “Recently, a Fulani herdsman attacked and removed a boy’s two eyes. I think he was a Fulani Bororo.
“His settlement got to know but he had fled to another Fulani enclave in a neighbouring Francophone country. We got in touch with Jooro (the head), who liaised with other Fulani leaders and the boy was brought back from the Francophone country to face trial.
“This is the kind of structure we have put in place to ensure harmony between our people and the Fulani.
“We will guarantee the security of lives and property in the state. Since Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq came on board, he has accorded security a top priority.”
During his Thursday press conference, Abdulkadir had denied the allegations against him.
He said the allegations were concocted by Oyo State activist Sunday Igboho to get the Fulani out of Igangan and other parts of the Southwest.
“I and my family have been living in Igangan for over 50 years without any challenge from anybody either in Igangan or any other place,” he said.
He asked Emirs and other traditional rulers in the 19 northern states to come to the rescue of the Fulani residents in the Southwest.
Abdulkadir’s houses and cars were set ablaze in Igangan penultimate Friday soon after Sunday Igboho visited the town over the seven day quit notice he gave the Fulani in the area over alleged kidnapping and other vices.
