Tension In Oyo As Farmers. Funlani Herdsmen Clash

There is imminent tension in Oyo state as farmer and Fulani herdsmen on Wednesday, November 26, were on the verged of clash when hundreds of farmers in Ido local government area staged a peace protest over the continued invasion and destruction of their farmlands by the herdsmen.

The angry farmers also threatened to attack the cattle rearers when they expressed their dissatisfaction to the alleged non-response to their persistent reports.

The protesting farmers numbering 400 called the state government to address the continued invasion of their farmlands.

According to the spokesman of the farmer, Alhaji Asimiyu the  farms that were attacked are in Keji, Olorode, Aboke. Pelu, Alagbe, Adedapo, Gbagba and Areyinjetu.

He noted that their crops such as maize, yams, tomatoes, potatoes, pepper, cassava and vegetables were destroyed by the herdsmen, The Punch reports.

Asimiyu said: “Many of us have been ruined following the incessant invasions of our farms by the grazing cattle of these Fulani herdsmen, as we have no other means of livelihood,” he lamented, as he narrated the ordeals of the agitated farmers to newsmen.

“This year alone, some of our members were matcheted on their farms by invading Bororos while nothing seems to have been done by the authorities to checkmate them.”

However, the state commissioner of police, Leye Oyebade advised the warring parties to maintain peace among themselves to avoid any situation that will affect the agelong relationship between them and peaceful atmosphere in the state.

Meanwhile, one Chinwuba Ekwueme, a villager in Egede community in the Udi local council of Enugu state had been murdered by suspected Fulani herdsmen.

The Fulani herdsmen were reportedly grazing their cattle in the community when they started shooting that killed the 42-year old victim who was a member of the Egede Neighbourhood Watch.