Ibadan Federal High Court has been asked by an activist and lawyer, Mr. Femi Aborisade, to compel President Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), the Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde and three others to arrest killer herdsmen and bandits.
Also joined in the suit which he filed on Wednesday, are the Attorney-General of the Federation, Oyo State Attorney-General and the Oyo State Commissioner of Police.
The applicant, who is the Interim Deputy Chair of Alliance on Surviving COVID-19 and Beyond, Oyo State Chapter, is praying the court for an order for the enforcement of his fundamental rights and of all persons in Ibarapa Central, Ibarapa East, Ibarapa North, including Igangan; Atisbo, Irepo, Iseyin, Itesiwaju, Iwajowa, Kajola, Oorelope, Olorunsogo, Saki East and Saki West Local Government Areas of Oyo State to life, freedom of movement and property.
In the suit by his counsel, Mr. Femi Falana (SAN), the Aborisade is seeking six reliefs including a declaration that Buhari, Makinde and the other respondents are “under a legal obligation to protect the life and property of every person in Ibarapa Central, Ibarapa East, Ibarapa North, Including Igangan; Atisbo, Irepo, Iseyin, Itesiwaju, Iwajowa, Kajola, Oorelope, Olorunsogo, Saki East and Saki West Local Government Areas of Oyo State forthwith.
“An order directing the respondents to arrest, investigate and prosecute suspected armed herders, suspected armed robbers and suspected kidnappers who commit criminal trespass, rape, murder, armed robbery, kidnapping and other criminal offences in Ibarapa Central, Ibarapa East, Ibarapa North, Including Igangan; Atisbo, Irepo, Iseyin, Itesiwaju, Iwajowa, Kajola, Oorelope, Olorunsogo, Saki East & Saki West Local Government Areas of Oyo State.”
In the supporting affidavit deposed to by Aborisade, the lawyer said that he and others living and working in the affected Oyo towns had been subjected to untold violent attacks by armed kidnappers and bandits consistently, to an unprecedented degree, particularly in the last three years.
According to him, “Owing to several violent attacks by armed kidnappers and bandits, I have not been able to visit members of my family living in Itasa, in Iwajowa Local Government Area of Oyo State for the past one year.”