From Bode Durojaiye, Oyo.
Bloody clashes are imminent in Saki West Local Government of Oyo State, no thanks to the destruction of farm produce by cattle owned by Fulani herdsmen.
The farmers are angry and threatening a showdown over what they referred to as “unabated criminal onslaught’’ being unleashed by cattle rearers (Bororo) who migrated
from the neighbouring Niger Republic, on them and their crops.
The latest is the destruction of farm products valued at about N1.5 million.
The farmers are angry that despite bye-laws enacted by the Local Government to check the excesses of the cattle rearers, the situation is becoming worse.
A visit to the area by Freedom Online reporter revealed that the 50 acres maize farm located at Simi Akorede along Okerete border town was not only eaten up by over 200 cattle, the bororo cattle rearers destroyed the left over crops with their cutlasses.
When the owner, Mr. Akeem Oladejo, got to the farm the following day and saw the damages, he reported the matter to men of the Saki Divisional Police.
But he lamented that the policemen didn’t do anything about the matter.
The herdsmen were also reported to have threatened to kill family members of the farm owner if dared attempt to prevent their cattle from subsequent damages.
Oladejo, who collected agricultural loan from the state government, took his case to the umbrella body of all farmers in the area for appropriate action.
Farmers in the area took the matter up and vowed to collect
compensation for all damaged crops and as well put an end to despicable acts of the herdsmen.
But for the intervention of the Local Government, the matter would have degenerated into a bloodbath.
Because of this, tension is already building in the community.
At a reconciliation meeting organised by the local government and attended by representatives of security agencies, farmers’ union and Seriki Fulani in the village, Alhaji Ganiyu Amoko and his Bororo counterparts, Garba Nankawo, the herdsmen, who destroyed the farm
products, were presented after their arrests few days after the
destruction.
The head of Bororo community agreed to pay adequate compensation to the farm owners.
Oladejo is still waiting for the compensation.
