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By Akinwande Soji-Ojo
No fewer than three persons were killed during the invasion of Molege community, in Ose Local Government Area of Ondo State, by gunmen suspected to be Fulani herdsmen, on Thursday evening.
According to reports, the gunmen attacked the community following the refusal of residents to allow herdsmen graze on their farms.
After the attack, the herdsmen razed down the buildings in the community overnight while residents took to their heels.
It was gathered that the attackers also injured some personnel of Ondo State Security Network Agency, also known as Amotekun Corps.
Te Commander of Amotekun Corps in the state, Akogun Adetunji Adeleye, confirmed the incident, adding that the herdsmen attacked his men while on patrol to the community.
“While on a routine patrol at Molege, our men were informed that some nearby villages in Molege have been taken over by herdsmen while they burnt down some people’s properties.
“We moved in with three patrol vehicles and took control of the situation in the village. On their way back, some men suspected to be herdsmen suddenly opened fire on our men in an unprovoked attack because Amotekun does not want to start shooting at people.
“We are trying to find out who they are as an investigation is ongoing. We urged the people of the community to come back to their homes as peace has returned back to the village,” Adeleye said.
Also, the Ondo State Police Command, in a statement by its spokesperson, Funmilayo Odunlami, said the Commissioner of Police, Oyeyemi Oyediran, paid a visit to the community on Friday for on the spot assessment to ascertain the level of damage caused by the gunmen.
“The CP during his visit to the scene, met with the community members, encouraged them, allayed their fears and vowed to arrest and prosecute all those involved in the evil act accordingly.
“The CP immediately deployed men of the Special Squads and PMF personnel to the community to ensure the protection of lives and property in the area.
“The command is also using this opportunity to assure the good people of Ondo State of adequate protection of their lives and property in the State and are enjoined to give the police genuine information that will help reduce crime to the barest minimum in the state,” the statement added.