•Flay attack on Falae’s farm
The Association of Fulani Chiefs of South West Nigeria has condemned the kidnap of Olu Falae but expressed opposition to a ban on grazing in the zone by Northerners.
However, Fulani herdsmen still have some scores to settle with Falae, former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, despite his abduction and release two weeks ago.
He said it is possible his kidnap for four days was connected with his conflict with the herdsmen who grazed on his farm. He asked the federal government to intervene before it degenerates into a full blow crisis.
Two weeks after his harrowing experience, some herdsmen have again destroyed the same farmland where his was kidnapped.
Falae’s Farm Manager, Bruno Akhigbodemen, narrated that one kilometre of maize plantation was destroyed during an invasion at about 2am on Monday, October 5.
He said the herdsmen arrived with their cattle and wreaked havoc on top of the horrible experience inflicted on the workers and their boss two week ago.
Effort by the guards to stop the invasion could not yield result, and the cattle grazed to their satisfaction, Akhigbodemen lamented.
“We have reported the recent incident to the state police command for necessary action,” he added.
Police officers have been posted to Falae’s residence on Oba Ile Road, Akure, and another stationed on Sabo Street occupied mostly the Hausa/Fulani community.
Falae, who was also Finance Minister during the Ibrahim Babangida regime, had been having a running battle with herdsmen over his farmland in Imafo, Igbatoro, Akure and when he visited the farm, he was allegedly attacked and adducted.
He was rescued by a team of policemen led by the Inspector General of Police, Solomon Arase, who promised that criminals will not be allowed to hold Ondo State to ransom.
“Before the president gave the directive [for Falae’s rescue], the police had taken steps to rescue him. No ransom was paid to get him released,” Arase said at the time.
But Falae later confirmed that “certain amount of money” was paid as ransom before he was set free.
Afenifere, the pan-Yoruba socio political group, has called for the stoppage of cattle rearing in South West states by the Fulani because of their menace.
Afenifere spokesman, Yinka Odumakin, made the statement after an emergency meeting in Akure, saying the herdsmen endanger lives.
The herdsmen should be stopped in “every space of Yorubaland”, he insisted, just as he demanded the arrest of the abductors of Falae.