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By Akinwande Soji-Ojo
Some eyewitnesses have narrated how herdsmen attacked a community in Ondo State last Thursday, killing three people and razing several buildings.
Recall that gunmen suspected to be Fulani herdsmen allegedly attacked Molege community, in Ose Local Government Area of the state, following the refusal of the residents to allow the herdsmen to graze on their farms.
In an interview with News Agency of Nigeria(NAN), Felix Olabode, the Akarigbo of Ute Land, said he was at home when the attack happened.
”We came here immediately and we met a dead body. These buildings have not been razed.
“When we alerted the police, the DPO came and we didn’t know that those people were still around. Not less than 30 minutes after the police evacuated the dead, the gunmen came back and razed these buildings.
“They always use guns to scare people away and then bring their cows to graze on peoples’ farm and drink water.
“When they are leaving too, they also use guns to scare people away and leave. We have seen the level of damage here. People have left here. We are begging the government to come to our rescue,” he said.
The Coordinator of Oodua People’s Congress (OPC) in the area, Folorunso Olofe, disclosed that the gunmen were always attacking with AK-47.
“This has been happening for long. They are always coming with AK-47. They were more than 50. One Amotekun officer was hit by a bullet during the attack. They came and killed the Baale. Police came and evacuated the dead and not up to 15 minutes, they came back and razed this place,” he said.
Meanwhile, the state governor, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, on Sunday, visited the community.
According to a statement by Richard Olatunde, the Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Akeredolu commiserated with residents of the community over the incident, particularly the death of community head, saying no government would be happy with the killings of its people.
Akeredolu, who was accompanied by the Commissioner of Police, Oyediran Oyeyemi; Commander of Amotekun Corps, Adetunji Adeleye; and some members of the State Executive Council, described the attack on the community as unfortunate, vowing that concerted efforts would be made to ensure that such attack did not reoccur in the state.
“I commiserate with you on the death of your loved ones. May their souls rest in peace. No government will be happy with this kind of development.
“You have to be prepared. These herdsmen are becoming too problematic. We are not sleeping. You can see the police and Amotekun here. With this one they have done, we will ensure that it is their last evil act here.
“Those behind this are criminals. Those supporting them are all criminals too. Anyone who commits crime will answer for it. The police and Amotekun, with other security agencies, will set out and bring them to justice. We will treat them as criminals.
“Both the police and Amotekun have briefed me that they were being shot at. But for their boldness and courage, the criminals would have overwhelmed them.
“I want to assure you, don’t be scared. We are still on their track. They have ran to Edo now. But for the houses that were raised down, government will bring relieve materials. We will rebuild the ones that were razed completely,” Akeredolu said.