By Olusegun Hakeem Adebumiti, Akure.
Residents of Akure, the Ondo state capital on Friday woke up to the news that there were heavy gunshots at Igoba, a community in Akure North Council Area of the state.
Multiple reports had alleged a robbery attack in the community, but information available to The Precision NG, stated otherwise.
Before the gunshot incident, rumours making the rounds few days ago in Akure, say some unknown persons were dropped along Akure Airport road, allegedly wearing Army camouflages and headed to the forest behind Osi and Igoba towns, opposite the Airport.
Those who saw them alleged that they are young Fulani boys in their 20s and were dropped by Buses.
Confirming the development to The Precision NG in a telephone chat on Friday, the Obaloogun of Igoba town, Oba Adeniyi Adinlewa, said he also got hold of the information few days ago and had since contacted the Amotekun Corps.
Oba Adinlewa however said the gunshots and bonfire witnessed at Gadson- Igoba area on Thursday night, was due to the apprehension from residents of the community, who were not comfortable with the alleged news that some young Fulani boys came into the forest around the community few days ago.
He told The Precision NG that the forest spanned through Igoba and Osi towns, towards Itaogbolu, another town in Akure North Council Area of the state.
“According to the report I got, young boys wearing Army uniform were dropped by Buses along Sasa market and they entered the forest that linked Igoba-OSI towns to Itaogbolu.
“When I got the information, I proceeded to the office of the Amotekun to report the case. On getting to the Amotekun office, I met some Landlords who were already making statement on the issue.
“Few days ago, over 1000 cattle were also brought around 2am and they were taken into the forest with about 10 herders accompany them,” the Oba said.
Asked if the community had gotten in touch with the Chairman of Miyyeti Allah (MACBAN) in the state about the development, Oba Adinlewa told The Precision NG that he has been informed and that he promised to monitor the situation.
According to the Oba, the MACBAN Chairman had once been committed to an agreement with the community, that he would be held responsible for any negative activity from the herders.
On the alleged overnight gunshots in Igoba, the Police spokesperson, Lee Teo Ikoro, said the rumour making the rounds that it was an attack from suspected Fulani herders was untrue.
“There is no issue like that. It is fake news,” he said.
When The Precision NG contacted the MACBAN Chairman, Alhaji Garba Bello, he said people are only spreading rumors that are unfounded.
“The King in Oba-Ile (another town in Akure North) has contacted me and I told him there is nothing like that. Our people are peaceful. How will herdsmen want to cause fight in Ondo state? If there’s war, how will the herdsmen carry their cattle? Help me tell Ondo state people that no Fulani is here to fight them,” he said.
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