RE: KILLING OF TWO FARMERS IN ISABA-EKITI
Following Mr. Governor’s condolence and fact finding visit to the affected community on Sunday, and based on intelligence available to us, it is clear that the Ikole/Oye axis of the state is vulnerable to incursions of criminally-minded elements who want to take advantage of the forest topography to visit unmitigated terror on farming communities in the area. We will not allow this to happen.
The Government of Ekiti State places great value on the safety of lives and properties of its residents. While we will continue to promote peaceful coexistence of all law-abiding Nigerians irrespective of ethnic or religious background, government will not condone acts of mindless violence that creates fear amongst our people or deter them from going about their lawful duties in safety on their farms or in their communities.
To this effect, the Governor of Ekiti State, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, has directed as follows:
1. The Ekiti State Command of the Nigeria Police and Amotekun corps should mobilize troops within 24 hours to comb the forests in Ikole LGA and secure the area from further attacks.
2. The Commissioner of Police has been directed to commence investigation immediately to apprehend the culprits responsible for the dastardly act and bring them to justice.
3. We reiterate that in consonance with the recent Akure peace meeting and joint communiqué issued between Southwest Governors and the Miyetti Allah, open/night grazing and underage herding remain banned in Ekiti State. The state is also making alternative arrangements for enclosed grazing/ranching under the National Livestock Transformation Plan in the state.
4. Similarly, in line with Mr. President’s recent directive, anyone armed with automatic weapons found in Ekiti forests will be considered a dangerous criminal and treated accordingly by security operatives.
Accordingly, residents of the affected communities are requested to please assist the security agencies with useful information that will lead to the arrest of the perpetrators of the crime. We would like to reassure Ekiti Kete that they should continue to go about their lawful businesses; we remain committed to protecting lives and property.
Hon. Akin Omole
Honourable Commissioner
Ministry of Information and Values Orientation
