"It Is Not All Fulani People That Are Criminals, War In Nigeria Won't Be From Here And Under My Own Watch" Gov. Makinde Speaks In Ibarapa.

Governor Seyi Makinde has affirmed that in the Oyo state he governs, an ethnic war would not be ignited.

In a statement released on Monday, February 1, following a meeting between the Governor and leaders in the Ibarapa region, where activist Sunday Igboho visited a few days ago, Makinde said that he wanted to visit the area to let them know that he was feeling their pain.

“I decided to spend the night in Ibarapaland, so as to let you know that if my people in this place cannot sleep with two eyes closed, I cannot also sleep with my two eyes closed in Ibadan. We are turning the heat on the criminal elements and we will surely get them.

“What happened in Rwanda will not be our portion. If anyone wants to ignite war in Nigeria, it won’t be from here and won’t be under my own watch. We will find a solution to the challenges facing us because we know there are challenges.” - He said.

Taiwo Adisa, Chief Press Secretary of the Governor's Office, listed compensating victims of criminal activity, an all-inclusive peace and security committee at the level of local government and stepping up intelligence gathering in the region as some of Governor Makinde's acts to resolve state security challenges.

Makinde, who also insisted he was not afraid to speak up at the height of the conflict between Ibarapa local government area residents and Fulanis, averred that not all Fulani people are criminals, as some of those captured from Igbira in Kogi state after a robbery operation at Okeho were from.

He said; 

“Some of the problems have been existing for years. It is not all Fulani people that are criminals, I must tell you. Some of those caught after a robbery operation at Okeho were Igbira from Kogi state.

“So, we must strive and do the work that can keep our environment safe. There are a few things the government has promised to do and the central part of it, which we think will help our situation, is identity management. We want to know who is where.”