Fulani herdsmen have allegedly taken over two villages in Ibarapa North Local Government Area of Oyo State, causing tension and forcing farmers to flee.
Speaking to Newsmen, residents of Ayete revealed that the two villages include Kajola and Gbagba Idere, located in the Ayete Local Government Area of the state.
According to the residents, a Fulani herdsman, Iskilu Wakil, was asked to leave the villages because he did not buy the land he was occupying.
But the angry herdsman refused to obey, claiming he was a combatant with arms and ammunition.
Also speaking, the Asawo of Ayete, Oba Emmanuel Okeniyi, said farmers have fled the villages over fear they might be attacked by Wakil and his goons.
“They asked him to leave the area. I don’t think he bought the land from anybody and the owners of the land asked him to leave. But rather than leaving, he has become a terror. The Fulani there usually destroy their farms,” Oba Okeniyi said.
“The farmers in the villages have fled their places, they are just loafing about now. Government has deployed Amotekun personnel in Ayete. They came yesterday ( Friday) but I haven’t heard that they have gone to those villages”
Another resident also accused Wakil and other herdsmen of blocking roads leading to Kajola and Gbagba Idere villages.
The herdsmen also vowed to shoot any body that comes close to the villages, adding that Amotekun are yet to visit the villages.
He said, “This started three days ago. The villagers had fled the place. The Amotekun personnel deployed by Oyo State Government are in Ayete, they have not gone to those villages. The police are not going there despite the several distress calls made to them.
“The hunters in the town are ready to face Wakil and his followers but they are afraid because they believe if they fight and kill him, the Federal Government will move against them. But the same Federal Government is not doing anything to ameliorate the plight of the people now. People believe fighting against herdsmen is like fighting against the Federal Government.
“One of the sons of Seriki Fulani who fled Igangan told me that Yoruba people should bring Sunday Igboho to face Wakil. He said he would finish him and his followers.”
