The Oyo State Police Command has refuted social media reports claiming that Sunday Igboho issued a new ultimatum for herders to leave the South West region of Nigeria.
In an official statement, police spokesman Adewale Osifeso stated, “There is no truth in the voice note being circulated on social media regarding the purported eviction of herders at Igboho, Oorelope Local Government Area of Oyo State by suspected separatist group members.”
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Osifeso emphasized that the viral video, which surfaced on Tuesday, July 16, 2024, was deliberately created to disrupt the relative peace in the state.
He stated, “The viral video was specifically designed by agents of mischief to incite violence and civil disturbances.”
The police spokesman clarified, “No notice of eviction was pronounced by any individual or group on anyone at any period in time.”
To maintain order and reassure the public, the Commissioner of Police has taken proactive measures.
Osifeso explained, “The supervising Area Commander has been tasked to personally lead confidence-building patrols and increase the visibility of personnel around the jurisdiction.”
Additionally, the statement revealed that the command has deployed more operational, intelligence, and tactical assets to prevent any potential unrest.
This incident comes amid ongoing tensions between herders and local communities in parts of Nigeria. Sunday Igboho, a Yoruba activist, has been a controversial figure in the past due to his stance on herder-farmer conflicts in the region.
