No fewer than 10 people were on Saturday night feared killed in Igangan, in Ibarapa North local government, by armed men suspected to be bandits.
The gunmen were said to have invaded the town in the night with about 20 motorcycles shooting sporadically during which the Palace of the traditional ruler of the town, Asigangan and a popular petroleum station were razed.
It was learnt that the gunmen said to be numbering about 50 shooting at those said to be trying to escape from the rampaging bandits.
According the Secretary of Farmers Union in Oyo state who is based in the town, Mr Taiwo Adeagbo, the bandits during the attack and exchange of gunshot between the bandits and security agencies, no fewer than 10 people were reportedly shot dead.
Adeagbo gave the breakdown of the casualties to include five residents and five of the bandits, saying, the Fulani terrorists waged war on Igangan from about12 midnight till Sunday.
“They burnt many properties- cars, a truck and burnt a petrol filling station.We will know the exact number of people killed, those injured and the number of properties they destroyed in the morning. It is still dark now things will be clearer later.”
Oyo state Police command while confirming the attack in a statement said “on Saturday at about 2310hrs, a yet to be ascertained number of unknown assailants invaded Igangan town with dangerous weapons in a bid to create unrest in the town.”
The statement signed by the command’s Public Relations Officer (PPRO) , DSP Adewale Osifeso added, “the unscrupulous elements were however repelled by a combination of Operational and tactical assets immediately deployed to the scene to restore normalcy. The situation is being closely monitored and comprehensive investigations are ongoing to apprehend the perpetrators.”
