Workers flee as herdsmen storm Akure council secretariat

Tension built up Tuesday morning when a gang of Fulani herdsmen bombarded the secretariat of Akure South Local Government Area of Ondo State, causing the workers to flee for dear lives.

The herdsmen, about 20, mobilized themselves armed with cutlasses, knives, charms and other dangerous weapons, to the secretariat, sitting the state capital in Akure metropolis.

The council, as early as 8:30am, was deserted by the workers, couples and their families who had fixed wedding ceremonies for the day at the registry for the fear of being attacked by the protesting herdsmen.

It was gathered that one of the workers, who owns a farm on the large expanse of land at the back of the council, had a confrontation with a herdsmen grazing their cattle on his farm this morning.

The herdsmen were said to have pursued the council staff with cutlass to the office area and pursued other staff who took to their heels, deserting their offices and premises.

This, according to eye-witnesses, made the herdsmen to mobilise themselves across the metropolis to protest at the secretariat against the perceived maltreatment of their kinsman and cattle.

However, the state Police Command and Akure Area Commander mobilised their men to disperse the herdsmen and restore peace in the area.