Stakeholders blame traditional rulers for farmers, herdsmen clashes

Some farmers and cattle rearers have accused some traditional rulers in the south west of colluding with cattle owners to give tacit support to Fulani herdsmen who graze their cattle on farmlands that belong to farmers in the zone. Some stakeholders made these accusations at a recent interactive session involving farmers and herders at the Oyo State police state headquarters in Ibadan.

The meeting was summoned by the Commissioner of Police, Mr. Abiodun Odude, as part of activities to bring peaceful coexistence between the two parties. He made reference to a skirmish that happened two weeks ago, saying the meeting was meant to dialogue with all stakeholders to bring lasting solution to the crisis.

A traditional ruler, Chief Jamiu Adedamola Badmus, advised the Special Adviser on Security to Governor Abiola Ajimobi, Mr. Segun Abolarinwa, to call all traditional rulers in the state to a meeting with the governor where they should be warned to desist from contracting some Fulani youths by giving them herds of cattle to breed for them.

Also speaking, Mr. Wale Idowu from Saki West Local Government Area, said: “Farmers and herders are not enemies. It is our leaders who are our enemies. Some of our leaders have cattle with these Fulani herdsmen.”

Apostle Joshua Ojo, a traditional ruler from Iberekodo, called on the Federal Government to take proactive measures about the nation’s porous borders, saying many of the Fulani herdsmen who unleash terror on innocent Nigerians sneak in from other neighbouring countries.