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A foremost non-political and socio-cultural Group in Yewaland,Ogun state, under the aegis of Yewa Think Tank has said that no fewer than 20 persons have been either killed or maimed by Fulani herdsmen in a month .
The group said it had taken a holistic and critical look at the incessant attacks and wanton killings of the people and discovered that no fewer than 20 persons have suffered from attacks from Fulani herdsmen .
The group in a statement issued by its President ,Prof. John Aihonsu and the General secretary, Abass Olanigan said the Fulanis herdsmen invaded the Yewa Communities and perpetrated heinous crimes.
The group said those victims that were attacked are those living across Yewa-North, Yewa-South, Imeko-Afon and Abeokuta-North local government areas.
The Yewa Think Tank said “we have assessed the nefarious activities of these Fulani herdsmen perpetrated over the years which have now escalated to an intolerable and highly provocative level, which if not curbed, could throw Yewaland, nay Ogun State, into a state of anarchy and blood bath.
“In the last one month, not less than twenty Yewa people were reported to have been either brutally murdered or wounded by those identified as Fulani herdsmen.
“This is in addition to other cases of rape of our women, destruction of farms and crops as well as other forms of violence on our people, regrettably, with the brazen support of soldiers from Army formations in Ogun State.”
The group however called on President, Major General Muhamadu Buhari, and the state Governor , Dapo Abiodun to, as a matter of urgency, put in place adequate security measures to curb the nefarious activities of these killer herdsmen.
It also demanded that the various forests across the affected areas should be combed and perpetrators of the incessant attacks and killings of their people, be arrested and prosecuted.
The statement read patly ,”we suggest that the Ogun State Governor should, as a matter of security and political expediency, visit the affected communities, especially, Igan Alade, Eggua and Owode Ketu, among others; and preside over a stakeholders meeting which will have in attendance Community leaders, Seriki Fulanis, farmers and law abiding herdsmen as well as Heads of Security Outfits in the area.
“We commend the efforts and statements made by our Political Representatives at the Federal, State and Local Government Levels as well as the response of our Obas and Community Leaders.
“We call for more vigilance and community security networks to be put in place to watch over our communities both day and night to wade off bandits and criminally minded people.
“While the Yewa People are not averse to accommodating and living peacefully with other Nigerians from different ethnic groups, we will not condone harbouring bandits and criminals, under any guise.
” It is high time a stop is put to marauders and criminals taking the peace loving and law abiding nature of our people for granted. Enough is enough.”
