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Farmers protest against herdsmen invasion in Oyo

By Iyabo Lawal, Ibadan
30 November 2015   |   2:37 am
Fulani herdsmen and farmers in Ido Local Government Area of Oyo State are in fresh collision cause as farmers whose farm holdings were allegedly ravaged by grazing cattle have threatened reprisals. The aggrieved farmers numbering about 400, drawn from various villages in Ido LGA including Abokede, Onikanga, Mabolese, Alatori, Agbetu and Olorode, yesterday mobilized at…
Ibadan, Oyo state.

Ibadan, Oyo state.

Fulani herdsmen and farmers in Ido Local Government Area of Oyo State are in fresh collision cause as farmers whose farm holdings were allegedly ravaged by grazing cattle have threatened reprisals.

The aggrieved farmers numbering about 400, drawn from various villages in Ido LGA including Abokede, Onikanga, Mabolese, Alatori, Agbetu and Olorode, yesterday mobilized at Omi-Adio, in a peaceful protest against the recurring invasion of their farms by Fulani herdsmen. 
They alleged that they had lost virtually all their farm yields to the invasions.

Led by the Secretary, Osho Forestry Reserve in the Local Government Area, Alhaji Asimiyu Yusuf, the protesting farmers further claimed that victims were recorded from villages such as Adedapo, Olorode, Keji, Aboke, Pelu, Alagbe, Gbagba Elewure and Areyinjetu.
Among farm crops allegedly destroyed by the invading Fulani herdsmen, according to Alhaji Yusuf, were cassava, maize, yams, tomatoes, potatoes, pepper as well as assorted vegetables, which are their only means of livelihood.

“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.

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

The aggrieved farmers told reporters that the invading Fulani herdsmen, who are always armed with knives and guns have been striking at the various farms with their grazing cattle not only in the day time but also at nights when nobody dared stop them. 

It was also alleged that the invaders, at times, raped wives of some of the farmers.
The protesting farmers said they have lodged series of complaints on the matter to the Police and the State Security Service (SSS) and called on the state government to urgently intervene so as to save lives and property.

When contacted, the Sardaunan Yamma and Sarkin Sasa, Alhaji Haruna Maiyasin promised to wade into the matter before it gets out of hand.
The Sarkin Sasa who is the leader of the Fulani Community resident in the South West however pleaded with the aggrieved farmers not to take the laws into their hands as the issue is being resolved.

It will be recalled that the leadership of the Fulani community resident in the South West recently rose from a meeting resolving to embark on compulsory registration of all Fulani herdsmen operating in the various states of the geo-political zone including their animals with a view to ensuring effective monitoring of their activities by their host communities and security operatives to guard against unwholesome behaviours.

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