The relative peace that existed between farmers and Fulani herdsmen in Oyo State was ruptured on Thursday as hundreds of farmers in Ido Local Government Area of the state staged a peaceful protest over continued invasion and destruction of their farmlands by the cattle rearers.
Dissatisfied by non-response to their persistent reports to the security agencies, the angry farmers have threatened reprisals.
Numbering about 400, the farmers mobilised themselves from villages in Ido Local Government and called on the state government to do something very urgently to check the excesses of the rampaging herdsmen who allegedly inflicted machete cuts on the helpless farmers after destroying their farms.
The villages that assembled at Omi Adio where the protest started from include Onikanga, Mabolese, Alatori, Agbetu and Olorode.
Their spokesman, Alhaji Asimiyu, the Secretary, Osho Forestry Reserve in the Local Government Area said some of the farmers that were attacked came from Adedapo, Olorode, Keji, Aboke, Pelu, Alagbe, Gbagba Elewure and Areyinjetu.
He further explained that all their crops such as cassava, maize, yams, tomatoes, potatoes, pepper and vegetables have been ruined by the cattle rearers.
He said, “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,” he lamented, as he narrated the ordeals of the agitated farmers to newsmen.
“This year alone, some of our members were matcheted on their farms by invading Bororos and nothing has been done by the authorities to checkmate them.”
The Commissioner of Police in the state, Mr. Leye Oyebade brokered a peace meeting between the two parties and warned them sternly to avoid any action that could rupture the age-long relationship between them.
Yamma and Sarkin Sasa, Alhaji Haruna Maiyasin said he would intervene, pleading with the aggrieved farmers to be calm and allow him to intervene in the matter.
-Vanguard
