Several herdsmen’s attack on Igangan town in Ibarapa area of Oyo State was not a child’s play untill the state governor; Engr. Seyi Makinde and several stakeholders in the state took a drastic decision to combat the menace.
Herdsmen and Farmers clash in Fiditi town in Afijio local government is another incidence that required proactive action from both the State Government and the stakeholders in Oyo State.
The where about of one Mr Adeniyi Ayodele Adeola that was kidnapped in the September 13th herder’s
attack which claimed the life of a Security guard;Mr Adesokan Muftau and left several injured is yet
unknown as at the time we are filling this report today 5th day of October, 2024.
You will recall that we reported the kidnap incidence of the Chieftain of PDP; Chief Benedict Akika
popularly known as “Benne” in Lagelu local Government of Oyo State by unknown gunmen at his
residence in Idi-ape area of Olorunda-Aba on 4th day of September.
He was later released
at Benin City after a week.
The incidence of killing of one Security Guard and the kidnap of an Executive member of Farmers Association in Fiditi
Town, Afijio Local Government of Oyo State on Friday 13th September, 2024 is another riddle yet unsolved.
Several residence who are primarily farmers in this locality has left their homes after the ugly incidence
of that Friday based on the fear of another herdsmen’s attack.
According to an eye witness who claim anonymity; the Friday 13th September, 2024 invasion was a
reprisal attack on the Farmers.
He narrated that the Farmers in Fiditi and her environ has witnessed
several herdsmen’s attack and destruction of their farmland in recent time which has led to the death of
several members of the association.
Many are also in serious debt due to inability to harvest their farm
produce that was grazed by herder’s cattles.
He reiterated that majority of them usually finance their farming business through personal savings, loans from
cooperative societies and Agricultural credit Banks.
He explained the herder’s attack on their farmland on Sunday (May 22, 2024) in which the farmers
mobilized the local vigilante to stop the destruction of their farmland has led to the reprisal attack of
September 13th, 2024.
He said the resistance by the Farmers on 22nd May, 2024 which led to the seizure of about five cattles of
those Fulani herdsmen taking to the palace of the King; Onifiditi has led to this reprisal attack.
Although, several Fulani herders were injured in the process according to him on that faithful day of
May, 2024.
Some of the Executives of the Farmers Association and other members who spoke with our
correspondent expressed their dissatisfaction on manner in which the Nigeria Police normally handle
the Fulani Herdsmen’s cases of attack on their farmland .
They described the herdsmen’s menace as a major challenge to their Source
of livelihood and treat to their lives as well.
All our efforts to reach out to the Family of the kidnapped Farmer proof abortive as they have all fled
their home because of treat to their lives.
According to Comrade Abayomi Adigun who is one of the farmer’s stakeholder; he described Mr Adeniyi
Ayodele as an advocate of fundamental human right who believed so much in “Equity and Justice”.
He also refused to tell our correspondent the whereabout of Ayodele’s Family members for security
reasons.
Fulani Herdsmen and Farmer’s clash has been a national security concern in Nigeria for more than ten
years now.
This barbaric act was under control until recently that it was a great security concern asides the “Boko
Haram” insurgency in Nigeria.
The south-western Nigeria has been experiencing this nefarious herdsmen attack like their Northern
counterpart that was experiencing both Herdsmen and Boko Haram insurgency for more than decades.
Despite efforts from the Forum of South-Western Governors in establishment of “Amotekun Agro
Rangers” and local Vigilante Groups in support of the Nigeria Police towards combating this menace, their noble efforts has not put a
stop to the incessant attack on Farmlands and Farmers completely; Adewale Adekunle reporting
