500 missing cows: Oyo hunters caution Fulani herdsmen

THE Soludero Hunters Association has called on the Fulani socio-cultural organisation, Jamu Nati Fulbe Association of Nigeria, not to resort to violence as the state government and the police are making arrangement to solve the sudden disappearance of their cows in the state.

This  was said  by the chairman and president of the association, Chief Oladejo Oladapo and Chief Nureni Ajijola Idris, while speaking with newsmen in Ibadan, the state capital, at the weekend.

As the first step to recover their cows, the national chairman of the Fulani herdsmen, Alhaji Saliu Kadir, accused the committee set up to find solution to the problem of being lackadaisical to their course.

Hence, the herdsmen had ordered closure of all their cattle markets in Ibarapa area of the state.

Oladipo said“We are aware of what Fulani herdsmen are doing in Oke- Ogun and Ibarapa area of Oyo State. All of us have to pray in Christian, Islamic and traditional ways so that peace will reign in this state

“There is nothing like prayer. We will pray in all the nooks and crannies of the state so that evil will not happen to us.”

He, however, appealed to the herdsmen not to foment trouble but behave orderly so as to resolve the issue.

“Hunters are to maintain peace in society and we will live up to this responsibility. If there is any hostility somewhere, we the hunters have the capabilities to confront it. The Fulani herdsmen are here to graze their animals, they should face their chosen job and not to attack our people.”

In his contribution, Idris, who is the national president of Soludero Hunters Association of Nigeria, said, “We are calling on all Fulani herdsmen to comport themselves and not disturb the peace of Oyo State.”