The Press war between Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) and the Pan-Yoruba socio-political group,, Afenifere, over the quit notice issued on herdsmen operating in Ondo and other states, took a new dimension ar the weekend as property, ranging from vehicles to houses were destroyed.

The ACF had warned that a continued attacks on herders in the Southwest might  trigger a civil war in the country and called on the federal government and the Southwest governors to step in immediately and stop the drift.

The ACF statement drew an instant response from the pan-Yoruba socio-political group, Afenifere, who dismissed the statement from Kaduna as hypocritical tears, arrogant and insulting.

The Afenifere declared that the South-west cannot be threatened with “a war at this stage as we will not provoke war but never are we going to run for anybody on our land.”

Another group of Yoruba leaders – Coalition of Oduduwa Elders- condemned the Friday attack on the property of Sarkin Fulani, Alhaji Saliu Abdulkadir in Ibarapa,

.It said the development was inimical to “the unity of the country which the Southwest stands for and does not represent the Yoruba people”.

Second Republic member of the House of Representatives, Dr.Junaid Mohammed, said it is illegal, immoral and irresponsible for any Nigerian to order fellow Nigerians to quit any part of the country.

The Coalition of Northern Groups (CNG) also condemned the attack which it said was part of a grand design to destabilise Nigeria and in particular bring the North to its knees.

The ACF, in a statement entitled “Stop the drift in the South West” and signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Emmanuel Yawe, said the Nigerian civil war was triggered by attacks and counter-attacks akin to what was happening in the Southwest.

It said the brains behind the quit order on herders in Oyo State should, therefore, be apprehended and be made to face the full wrath of the law.

 “The Arewa Consultative Forum this morning (yesterday) received reports of an attack by Yoruba Youths on Alhaji Saliu Abdulkadir, the Serki Fulani in Oyo State.

“In the reports, he was attacked and driven out of his house, 11 cars and his house burnt with his family members now living in the bush.

“There are allegations that one Sunday Igboho, an agitator for Oodua Republic and who issued an ultimatum giving Fulani people seven days to leave Yorubaland, is the instigator of the attack.

“The most disturbing aspect of the attack is the allegation that the security agents who were earlier warned about its imminence stood by helplessly as the attack was carried out.

“The ACF is worried about this trend and calls on the federal and state governments in the Southwest to move quickly to avert a social upheaval that may destabilise the whole country.

We recall that the civil war in the 60’s started with attacks and counter-attacks like this.

“The governments must be proactive and stop history from repeating itself.

Those who carried out these attacks must be apprehended and the due process of the law allowed to take its course.

“If this is not done, there may be counter-attacks in the north and the country will be up in flames. The authorities must act. The ACF is very worried and calls on them to act fast.”