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Sodiq Ojuroungbe
Residents living in Yewa areas of Ogun state have demanded that the state governor, Dapo Abiodun should give an order for the eviction of Fulani herdsmen in the land .
The Eselu of Iseluland ,Oba Akintunde Akinyemi who spoke on behalf of the residents affected by reported several herdsmen attacks said the entire people of Ketuland are requesting that the Fulai herdsmen leave the area .
PLATFORM TIMES reports that some areas which include ; Eggua, Ketu, Igbooro, Iselu, Agbon-Ojodu, Asa , Ibeku, Imeko and Oja-Odan among others in Yewa-North local government area of the state have recorded attacks from herdmen few weeks back.
PLATFORM TIMES learnt that, villagers in some of the affected areas have deserted their houses .
The Eselu who spoke at Oja-Odan when the state governor paid a visit to the areas said there may be war if the people decided to face the Fulani Herdsmen.
He said “the herdsmen are killing our people seriously . They are killing our people in Ketuland , they raped our women, they destroyed our silos .
“They have killed a lot of our people in Ketu, Igbooro, Iselu, Agbon-Ojodu ,Asa , Ibeku and Oja-Odan
“Withing five days , Fulani have killed five persons in Igbooro , three in Asa making eight .
“Your Excellency , our people have regards for you and they know that you will be just .
“I know that if not for the governor ,if we ask our people to face fulani, there will be war . Due to this , we want the Paramount ruler in Yewa to support us while we want the governor to give an order that Fulani should not come to Ketuland again .”
Meanwhile, the governor disclosed that five northern governors are holding a security meeting with him in Abeokuta ,the state capital on Tuesday.
Abiodun’ who addressed some aggrieved villagers at Oja-Odan had a hectic time to calm them down over the development .
He later visited Igbooro where three four persons were killed and nine were injured on a Sunday night attack .
The governor while speaking on the stakeholders meeting with five northern governors did not mention the governors, but, said those governors are of Fulani extraction that have people living in the state .
The governor said all the concerned groups and people would be represented with a view to charting a way forward on the insecurity situation in the state .
He said ” I have called a stakeholders meeting tomorrow with my colleague-governors who are Fulani that have people here .
“Five governors are coming to Abeokuta from Northern states . We will call some of you to the meetings and discuss the matter . ”
On the security measures put in place , the governor said he would hand over some security vehicles and motorcycles to the special task force he set up for Yewaland on Tuesday .
He said “The delegation I sent told me what they saw. They said a lot of things happened and as they were giving the report of what they saw, we heard that another attack happened.
“I called for security meeting this morning. And before yesterday , I have set up a task force and bought new vehicles and motorcycles for Yewaland security .
“The task force consists of Police, Soldiers , Cvil Defence Corps and hunters to help us in terms of security in your area .
“Tomorrow by God’s grace, all the new vehicles and motorcycles will be released . The task force will be stationed here , they will not only patrol your areas and go back to Abeokuta .”
He however promised to foot the hospital bills of those who were injured by herdsmen .
He also pledged to help those who lost their property during the attack by cushion the effect of the loss .
The governor said he had asked the commissioner for Special Duties to collate the list of those that are affected in the attacks.
Earlier , the Olu of Ilaro and Paramount ruler of Yewaland ,Oba Kehinde Olugbenle in his remarks said ,his people in Yewaland are no longer sleeping with their eye closed due to the herdsmen attacks .
He however appealed to the people to be patient with the governor ,saying , security measures have been put in place to end the incessant killings in Yewaland .
