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Herdsmen: YYF sues for peace, tolerance
Bankole Taiwo, Abeokuta
Ogun State Coordinator of Yoruba Youth Forum, Comrade Olusola Adewusi has warned the youths in Ogun State not to take laws into their hands under whatever guise but maintain peace and order as no meaningful development could take place in a chaotic environment.
Comr. Olusola Adewusi sounded this warning which became imperative in the wake of growing concern against some bad elements among Fulani herdsmen who would rather take to maiming, killing, kidnapping and raping innocent people other than tending their animals.
Adewusi said this in a statement signed by the YYF’s Publicity Secretary, Adesesan Ajayi, and made available to journalists in Abeokuta on Thursday.
Adewusi also warned the Fulani herdsmen who have found new homes in locations within Ogun State, having been chased away from Oyo, to maintain peace and order.
He said that “a lot of allegations and reports are being circulated about the atrocities committed by the Fulani herdsmen in the neighbouring states and in the south west in general. What began with plundering of farms became so bad that at least three or four cases of farm destruction were being reported at the police station daily. The destruction of farms, killing, kidnapping, armed robberies and raping women have been going on for more than 15 years.”
Adewusi said the head of Fulani in Ibarapa area of Oyo State, Seriki Salihu Abdukadir, who was said to have just relocated to Ogun State has allegedly being fingered to be behind some wicked acts against the indigenes on many occasions as he had often been found to be defending any Fulani herdsman arrested.
He said part of the allegations levelled against Seriki Abdulkadir was that “he was always making sure those arrested were not prosecuted. He would throw his weight behind those arrested. Seriki and his sons were the ones accusing Amotekun of killing his people when they came to some settlements to fight kidnappers.”
Adewusi said Nigerian constitution, though allows every Nigerian to live and do businesses anywhere in the land but detest killing , raping , cultism, kidnapping and other criminal acts.
He said on this basis, the herders should abide by the law which prohibit grazing along the expressway, night grazing and underage grazing while the youth must also be agents of peace and must on no account take laws into their hands under whatever guise.
He urged members of the public to always report any act of criminality by any tribe to the appropriate law enforcement agencies and not use such occasion to harm the relative peace the state has been enjoying.
Adewusi appreciated the administration of Gov. Dapo Abiodun for attaching great importance to security. He commended the Governor for the provision of patrol vans and bikes for the security personals and his full support for the Southwest Security outfit codenamed Amotekun.
He also appreciated the Commissioner of Police in the state, CP Edward Awolowo Ajogun for the great job the force has been doing to fight insecurity in the state.
Lagos State Governor and Chairman of the South West Governors Forum, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, on Friday, condoled with the newly appointed Chairman of the Governing Council of the University of Ibadan and former interim National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief Bisi Akande, over the death of his son-in-law, Barr. Oyedele Clement Akintola.
Governor Sanwo-Olu, in a condolence message issued by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr. Gboyega Akosile, also commiserated with Chief Akande’s daughter, Mrs. Bolaji Akintola, over the demise of her beloved husband.
The Governor said the demise of Barr. Akintola on Wednesday, at age 60, is an irreparable loss, which would have created a vacuum in the family. He prayed that God would give the immediate and extended family of the deceased, the grace to bear the great loss.
He said: “On behalf of my family, the government, and the good people of Lagos, I want to express our heartfelt condolences to the family of our leader, Chief Bisi Akande and the late Barr. Oyedele Clement Akintola on this great and irreparable loss.
“The late Barr. Akintola was an epitome of humility and uprightness, and he was a pillar of support for his wife and children. His family will miss him greatly, because of the vacuum his death has created. I urge family of the deceased, friends, and associates to take the death of Barr Akintola in good faith, knowing that he lived a fulfilled life.
“I pray that God will grant the late Barr. Oyedele Clement Akintola eternal rest and grant the family, particularly his wife and children, the fortitude to bear the irreplaceable loss.”
By Titus Atondu, Makurdi
Benue State Go Governor Rev. Fr. Dr. Hyicenth Alia has disclosed that a commission of enquiry will be set up by the state government to investigate the remote and immediate causes of the violent protest that took place in Ukum local government of the state.
Alia made the disclosure on Thursday night during a live broadcast on the mayhem that occured in Ukum local government area, reiterated his administration’s unwavering commitment to the safety of all residents of the state.
He vowed not to sit back and allow anyone or a group of persons to frustrate the peace of the State and destabilize government activities.
The governor sympathized with victims of the attack, said government was intensifying efforts in collaborating with security agencies to bring the perpetrators of the violent and criminal acts to justice as well as work on preventive measures to ensure such incident does not reoccur.
Governor revealed that combined security agents had raided the hidout of bandits in Ukum and subsequently neutralized two bandits, recovered seven motorcycle, two English pistols, a Toyota camry, and commercial tricycle and lots of charms.
He explained that as a reprisal, some bandits hit some soft target and killed six civilians at Ayati in Ukum, believing that the members of Ayati community were responsible for giving information on their operations and hidouts.
The governor further explained that the action led to an initial protest of anger and frustration by family members and women regarding the killings of their loved ones on the Ayati-Sai road down to Sankera but Regretted that the peaceful protests was hijacked by bandits and miscreants who had carefully planned to undertake and unleash mayhem on businesses and peace-loving people of Sankera.
He appealed to the people of Sankera and its environs to remain calm and exercise restraint, emphasized that his administration for the last time, extends hands of fellowship to all youths who have chosen to reside in the forests and continually launch attacks on innocent citizens.
He stressed that his government was running out of patience and shall no longer guarantee the olive leaf branch extended to them.
Nigerian NewsDirect reports that representative of Kastina-Ala, Ukum, Logo federal constituency, Solomon Wombo who was at the broadcast, thanked governor Alia for the steps taken to restore calm in the area promising to collaborate with government to find lasting solution to the insecurity in the constituency.
By Atondu Titus
Benue State Governor, Rev. Fr. Dr. Hyacinth Iormem Alia, has assured the people of Ukum Local Government Area in the Sankera axis that normalcy will soon return to the area, following an incident involving criminal elements on Wednesday.
The Governor, represented by his deputy, Barr. Dr. Sam Ode, condemned the actions as “barbaric” and reiterated that the government will not tolerate anything less than peace and security of lives and properties.
“We are committed to ensuring that peace and normalcy return to this area. The curfew imposed on the area from 6pm to 6am daily will remain in place until further notice,” Governor Alia said.
The Police Commissioner, Mr. Hassan Steve Yabanet, also reassured residents that normalcy has returned to the area, saying, “We are on top of the situation.”
The Governor’s visit to Ukum was seen as a move to show solidarity with the affected communities and to reiterate the government’s commitment to ensuring that justice is served. During the tour, the Governor’s delegation visited several locations, including Ukum Local Government Secretariat, INEC office, Government College Zaki Biam, Benue State High Court, Benue Links Park, St Paul Nursery Primary and Secondary School, Magistrate.
Sanwo-Olu commiserate with Akande over death of son-in-law
Benue Govt to investigate Ukum protest, sets up commission of enquiry
