The House of Representatives has directed the Inspector-General of Police, Usman Alkali-Baba, to intensify efforts towards arresting and prosecuting the assailants that invaded Igangan town in Ibarapa North Local Government Area of Oyo State last Sunday, killing over 20 persons, destroying the palace of the Oba of the town (Asigangan of Igangan) and other properties.
The House also directed the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and other relevant agencies to provide relief materials to assist all those whose properties or businesses were destroyed as a result of the invasion.
These decisions were sequel to the adoption of a motion of urgent public importance sponsored by Mr Muraina Ajibola and all members from the South West at plenary.
Mr Ajibola, expressed dismay that the assailants in their large numbers invaded the town around 11pm on motorcycles and allegedly opened fire, without any provocation on innocent, defenceless and harmless indigenes.
The lawmaker recalled that the Ibarapa axis of Oyo State, has been the hotbed of several violent clashes between the bandits and the indigenous farmers, which generated national outcry, and Igangan town appeared to be the epicentre of these crises, and all attempts by the Federal Government and the Oyo State Government to find a permanent solution to the crises appear not to be successful so far.
He expressed worry that due to the last attack, residents of Igangan Town and Ibarapa axis of Oyo State are relocating from the town in droves, which is likely to paralyse the economic and social activities of the town.
According to him, the attack is capable of escalating the already tense security situation in Igangan town, Oyo State and all the states in the South-West of Nigeria, if the assailants are not apprehended and brought to justice.
RADIO NIGERIA