Governor Ayodele Fayose of Ekiti State has ordered the immediate arrest of seven men said to have attacked a cattle herdsman identified simply as Ibrahim and killing four of his cows in an incident in Igogo-Ekiti.
The men were found to be among about 100 youths of Igogo-Ekiti community, who allegedly attacked the herdsman and killed four of his cows while they were said to be grazing.
The governor also directed an immediate investigation into the alleged attack.
The youths had allegedly shot at Ibrahim but the rifle had jammed, but they succeeded in allegedly shooting four of his cows to death.
Governor Fayose in reaction to the development, had summoned a meeting with people and leaders of the town and having listened to parties involved, ordered the arrest of the seven youths.
He also imposed a three-day dusk to dawn curfew on the community and awarded N5million to the parents of the lad, who was shot dead in a recent chieftaincy crisis in the community, allegedly by a trigger-happy security personnel.
Speaking shortly after a meeting with leaders and some people of the community at the government house, Ado-Ekiti, Fayose said: “I have ordered for immediate arrest and detention of the seven people fingered in the incident, because we have established that they went with many others to attack a herdsman and killed four of his cows.”
“That is an act of criminality which would not be condoned by our government. If we can jail herdsmen for violating the anti-grazing law of the state, we would not hesitate to punish our people who illegally and unjustly attack any herdsman in our community. Nigeria is one and we must ensure our unity.”
“The herdsmen and our people have equal rights on our soil, no one should attack or harass them.”
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