Save us from victimisation, destruction, Ogun monarch begs Abiodun

The Aboro of Ibeseland in Yewa North Local Government Area of Ogun State, Oba Rotimi Mulero, has appealed to the state governor, Dapo Abiodun to come to the aid of the town and neighbouring communities over the resurgence of herdsmen menace.

The monarch decried the alleged invasion of farmlands by herdsmen, saying it has discouraged many of his subjects from farming.

Oba Mulero spoke at the end of a security stakeholders’ meeting which had in attendance the representatives of the Ogun State Commissioner of police, sister security agencies, community heads, villagers and rural dwellers at the palace of the Aboro.

The meeting was held to engage stakeholders on ideas and possible means to achieve lasting peace in the community.

Addressing newsmen, the monarch said the activities of the suspected Fulani herdsmen in Ibese communities where farmlands and farm produce were destroyed must be checked, tamed and addressed squarely.

He added that the people depended on farming to educate their children and to attend to other needs.

The attacks, he said, had made many people in the affected communities abandon farming and, as a result, could no longer send their children to school.

“Many of my people had suffered losses by these Fulani herdsmen and I don’t want that to continue.

“They will just take their cows and invade farmlands and eat up crops and other farm produce. Some of the farmers met on their farms were ordered by the herdsmen to open their grains’ silos and they fed the grains to their herd.

“I am appealing to the state government through the attorney general of the state, to see to the full enforcement of the anti-open grazing law in the state.

“They should either steer clear of my communities or they should allow peace and order to reign by not invading people’s farmlands with their herd of cows.

“We hereby call on the attention of the governor, Dapo Abiodun to, as a matter of urgency, rescue us from the hands of herders.”

In attendance at the meeting was Special Adviser on Inter-ethnic Affairs, Prince Hadi Sani who represented the governor and Special Adviser on Security Matters, Hon. Biyi Odubote; chairman, Yewa North Local Government Area of the state, was also represented by the vice chairman, Ilori Joseph; Prince Ganiyu Nasir Isiaka, member House of Representatives representing Yewa North/Imeko Afon federal constituency was also represented by Oduntan Atanda Razak.

Others were Area Commander Ayetoro Police Area Command, ACP Comfort Ayo Alabi; the Area Commander, Ilaro Police Area Command, ACP Kunle Awe; Commander Amotekun Corps, Yewa North Local Government Area, Olayode Oluwole; Prince Kola Hamzat, CSP Opanachi Godwin.

Representatives of Yewa People Development Council (YPDC) led by Mr N.A. Adebiyi; secretary, Yewa Security Council, representatives of Ibese Farmers’ Association, members of Aboro Ibese-in-Council and all Baales under the prescribed authority of the Aboro of Ibeseland were also in attendance, amongst others.

It will be recalled that there were menaces of herdsmen/farmers crisis across the country up till 2022.

READ ALSO: Ogun monarch seeks Gov Abiodun’s intervention over resurgence of herdsmen