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By Emmanuel Adeleke
Oyo State House of Assembly has summoned the leaders of Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association (MACBAN) in the state over the recent attack in Iwere-Ile, Iwajowa Local Government Area.
The lawmakers, who gave the order during Wednesday’s plenary presided over by deputy speaker, Hon. Muhammad Fadeyi, asked the leaders of the group to appear and explain the roles they played during the crisis that took place in the community.
Fadeyi warned herders against encroaching on people’s lands and destroying their farmlands.
The deputy speaker, who sympathised with the people of Iwere-Ile on the sad development, said security agencies must put measures in place to forestall future attacks and destruction by 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,” he said.
Trouble reportedly started on Sunday October 15, 2023 when some herdsmen whose cattle invaded a farm in Apakolo village in Iwere-Ile killed the farm owner, Mr. Kege Mayowa, after he challenged the invaders.
The resolutions followed a matter of urgent public importance moved by the member representing Iwajowa State Constituency, Anthony Ogunsola.
Ogunsola claimed that no fewer than seven people have died as a result of the incident, while several others were injured.
“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 were alerted and yhey immediately mobilised 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, an Amotekun operative, Mr Wasiu Salau a.k.a Federal, and Mr. Akeem Iroko,” he said.