Ondo State Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN
Uneasy calm is now reigning in five Ala Communities of Ondo State following a clash between herders and leaders of the communities.
Already a high powered peace team has been sent to the embattled communities to broker peace among the warring groups in the area.
The Senior Special Assistant to the State Governor on Security, Alhaji Jimoh Dojumo during a visit to the scene, said though the incident is being exaggerated, government would continue to promote peaceful cooperation among all ethnic groups in the state.
It was learnt that some suspected herdsmen allegedly attacked some communities in Akure North local government area of the state.
Tension was already high as the people narrated their ordeal in the hands of the suspected herdsmen in recent times.
Armed with first hand information, Dojumo and his team drove into the bush to locate the purported hideout of the herdsmen.
After getting to a point that was no longer accessible by vehicle, members of the team met the Ala divisional police officer, Adekunle Odimayo and his men who had been there in advance combing of the forest.
Both teams then trekked some kilometers further into the bush until they got to a point where large feaces, drugs bottles for cows, food tenants, pots among others showed that the place was once occupied by herdsmen.
However, none of the suspected herdsmen was in sight around the area.
It was learnt that the attack occurred at midnight when many of the residents of the communities were deep asleep.
Sources said many of the farmers and their families have been rendered homeless as they escaped miraculously from being killed by the herdsmen marauders.
As of the time of filing this report, it was not yet ascertained whether there was any loss of life.
According to reliable sources, the farmers had earlier had disagreement with the herders over wanton destruction of their farm produce and reportedly chased the herders away.
The situation, it was learnt, did not go down well with the herdsmen who were said to have invaded the areas in a reprisal mission in the night and destroyed their properties, including farms produce.
It was gathered that residents of the communities, such as Ala/Ifon/Imafon axis are now afraid as a result of the attack.
Police spokesman in the state, Mr Tee-Leo Ikoro in a chat with over the incident, described the news of the incident as being overblown by some media.
He explained that it was a misunderstanding between a farmer and some herders. He added that because of the insecurity in the Nation today, people tend to hesitate on any move.
Also speaking, the Public Relations Officer of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) said the patrol team was not able to see any empty cartridge which was a sign that no shooting occurred.
However, Dojumo said he has visited the scene of the incident but that the media have over blown the issue adding that no house was burnt.
The SSA admitted that there had been disagreement in the community which led to the disruption by the herders.
He said that government would on Thursday have a peace talk with the factions in a bid of settling the disagreement.
The Hope
