Tension as IGP orders arrest of Sunday Igboho

By John Eche

There is tension in Nigeria following the reported order by the Inspector General of Police authorising the arrest of a South West militia leader, Sunday Igboho.

Igboho, who had reportedly given a seven day eviction notice to Fulanis in Ibarapa, Oyo State on account of their alleged association with kidnappings and crimes in the area, is to be apprehended and taken to Abuja, the order which was confirmed by presidential spokesman, Garba Shehu outlines.

There has been rising tension in the South West on accounts of the deteriorating security situation in the region which is being traced to kidnappers and bandits that are linked to Fulani herdsmen and Fulani communities in the region.

Though the local leaders of the Fulani settlers in the region consistently deny having anything to do with the criminals, they are also being accused by some as not doing enough to discourage the criminals and cooperate with the local communities and the security services in interdicting the criminals.

Part of the tension s being fuelled by what some say is the double standard involved in the arrest order. According to critics of the move, of which number the likes of pan-Yoruba group, Afenifere spokesman, Yinka Odumakin and the former Minister of Aviation, Femi Fani-Kayode, there had been several other provocative statements and actions by Fulani ethnic champions in the past that were relatively ignored by the Nigerian presidency or not seriously addressed.

Many in Nigeria believe that the most serious antidote to the rising spate of divisions in the country is a calmly negotiated restructuring of the country that would bring about what they refer to as a really ‘true federation,’ that is further reinforced by a new and popular constitution.

Nigeria’s Inspector General of Police