Barely 50 days after coordinated bandits stormed the ancient town of Igangan to massacre at least 20 persons, suspected armed herdsmen have again struck in towns of Ibarapa North and Ibarapa Central local government areas of Oyo State on Friday evening.
The attackers were said to have stormed the town in two Hilux vans, an 18-seater Hummer bus, and a Toyota Sienna bus wearing military and customs uniforms.
The News Carrier NG was told that the residents initially lowered their guards thinking the men were customs officers in search of suspected smugglers.
It was gathered that the suspected gunmen arrived in the community few minutes past 7:00pm on Friday and attacked some towns in Ibarapa North and Ibarapa Central LGAs. “They shot sporadically for over 30 minutes. Local vigilantes killed one of the gunmen during the encounter” a source said.
Special Assistant, Media and Publicity to the Ibarapa North LGA Chairman, Odugbemi Qudus and some competent sources confirmed the invasion.
“I can confirm to you that Ibarapa North is seriously under attack, not only Igangan, we were shot in Ayete now but Alhamdulilah. None of us was hit by bullets just some minor injuries from falling inside gutter” Odugbemi said.
Another source told the News Carrier NG local security operatives forced the attackers to retreat after killing at least four residents and destroyed properties. According to the source, the attackers escaped through Abeokuta axis.
“At around few minutes 7:00 pm, we started hearing a noise around town that attackers have come again, and we quickly rushed out. They were shooting sporadically around AUD Quarters on their way to the town.
“They killed a man in front of Jabele Hotel. When they got to Tapa, they killed another person there. Another victim died in Ayete while Commander of Amotekun in Ibarapa Central named Muri was also killed”
“They passed in front of Operation Burst operatives in Ofiki and those ones didn’t know they were assailants on a deadly mission because they were wearing military and customs uniforms”
The convener Igangan development advocate, Oladiran Oladokun expressed disappointment over inadequate security despite the recurrence of the attacks.
