By Adeyinka Adeniran
The Oyo State House of Assembly on Wednesday condemned Sunday’s attack on the people of Iwere-Ile in Iwajowa Local Government area of Oyo State by suspected Fulani herders which left not less than seven people dead.
This is just as the House called on the Oyo State Police Command to beef up security in the area and arrest the Fulani herdsmen who allegedly perpetrated the killings, and directed its Committee on Security to invite the leadership of Miyetti Allah in the State.
The resolutions followed a Matter of Urgent Public Importance brought before the House by member representing Iwajowa State Constituency in the Oyo State House of Assembly, Hon. Anthony Ogunsola.
The plenary presided over by Deputy Speaker, Hon. Muhammad Fadeyi warned Fulani herders against encroaching on people’s lands and destroying their farmlands.
Hon. Fadeyi who sympathized with the people of Iwere-Ile on the sad development said all security agents must put measures in place to forestall future attack and destruction by Fulani herdsmen.
“Our people are mainly farmers and the Fulanis depend on their cattle for survival. It is completely unacceptable for the herders to be destroying our people’s farmlands. We will not take this hence we are appealing to the Oyo State Commissioner of Police to ensure the fleeing herdsmen who perpetrated the killings are not only arrested but also prosecuted.” The Deputy Speaker said
Trouble reportedly started on Sunday,15th October, 2023 when some Fulani herdsmen whose cattle invaded a farm in Apakolo village in Iwere-Ile killed the farm owner, Mr. Kege Mayowa when he challenged the invaders.
“On Sunday, Mr. Kege Mayowa, an Ohori farmer was murdered on his farmland at Apakolo village by yet-to-be-arrested Fulani herdsmen, after the late farmer challenged his killer when the herders were feeding cows on the farm.
“After the killing, a team of joint security agents comprising Operation Burst, Police, Amotekun, LG Vigilante, and members of Oodua Peoples’ Congress, OPC, were alerted and immediately mobilized to the scene.
“But on sighting the team of security operatives, the herdsmen opened fire and this resulted in the death of Mr Ojo Yakubu (Amotekun operative), Mr Wasiu Salau a.k.a Federal, and Mr. Akeem Iroko.
“The herdsmen also wounded another Amotekun officer, Mr Kazeem Hammed; Mr Muraina Jamie, a resident at Apakolo while leaving many others receiving treatment at different undisclosed hospitals.
“The crisis escalated on Monday 16th and claimed three more lives in the Fulani community.” Hon. Anthony Ogunsola
According to Hon. Anthony Ogunsola, drastic action must be taken by Security agents to prevent the situation from degenerating into full blown crisis as the Fulanis have started laying ambush on the farm for the farmers.
This he said has prevented farmers in Iwere-Ile from going to their farms.
