Herdsmen killings: ‘We’ve invoked spirits of our ancestors, wrath of God upon traitors, accomplices’
Khalid ABRAHAM
Chairman, Egbe Omo Ogbomoso Parapo Agbaaye, home branch, Prince Aderemi Olude, has declared that the socio-cultural organization has invoked the spirit of the ancestors against individuals and groups whose activities he said aid and abet the incessant killings and farm destruction by Fulani herdsmen in Ogbomoso zone of Oyo state, warning that unless such people repent, calamities await them.
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This was disclosed during a meeting the organization held with traditional rulers and chiefs in Oolo town, Oriire local government area, at the palace of Oloolo of Oolo, Oba Michael Oyebunmi Ajayi Oyebunmi IV JP, Thursday, on the menace of killer herdsmen in the zone.
Recall the apex socio-cultural organization declared its intention to converse with traditional rulers in the zone after an upsurge in cases of herdsmen killing was recorded early this year, following which it met with traditional rulers in Ogo-Oluwa local government last month at the palace of Alajaawa of Ajaawa, Oba Thompson Adeyeye Oyetunji.
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The Thursday meeting at the palace of Oloolo, chaired by Abese of Oolo, Chief T.A. Adegboye (who represented Oloolo who was unavailable), and attended by 15 other chiefs, acknowledged the reality of the herdsmen threat, with the traditional chief urging Ogbomoso Parapo leadership to come to their aid in curbing it.
Chief Adegboye, who is vice chairman of the traditional council in Oolo, expressed gratitude to the leadership of Ogbomoso Parapo for its initiative lamenting that the rate the Fulani herdsmen destroy farms and constitute threat to the lives of their people has reached an alarming rate.
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The Abese further said, “It is a critical situation, the case of Fulani herdsmen killings is rampant in Oriire local government area. We do not know whom to run to, we tried the security agents but to no avail. The Oloolo has held several meetings with the leaders of the Fulani people, the Jooros and Serikis, but little is achieved in curbing the menace. However, what we have discovered is that the case is more pronounced where there are two contending traditional rulers to a stool.
“These rivals use herdsmen to attack each other, and these are often Fulani herdsmen who have no trace, that is, foreign herdsmen. There are resident Fulanis and migratory Fulanis, the Bororos who are mostly foreigners; it is these non-resident herdsmen that are wicked and perpetrate these evils. Then, we have problem with security agents, who often set suspects free, suspects are never made to face the wrath of the law. We implore Parapo people to look into these, the issue of rival chiefs recruiting herdsmen to cause mayhem and non-prosecution of suspects.”
He added, “We also want the anti-grazing law to be enforced. What is the essence of a law that is not implemented? Security agents should not set free suspects again. Farmers are now scared to go to their farms. Also, these cattle are owned by our people, the rich among us, traditional rulers, politicians and so on, Parapo should help us talk to them, they have the money they should at least build ranches and carve out grazing areas for the cattle, so that these cows are restricted.
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“We suggest also that traditional rulers harbouring Fulani Bororo people should be sanctioned, we know resident Fulanis, it is the non-residents that often commit these crimes, even resident Fulanis fear them. We are seeking a meeting with council chairmen to urge them to warn traditional rulers against accommodating these people, their notoriety is causing the acute food shortage we are experiencing as incentive for farming is now zero.”
In his remark, Prince Olude, who was accompanied by some other exco members including the secretary, Mrs. Janet Akintoyinbo; treasurer, Prince Olayiwola Oladebo; financial secretary, Prince Adegboyega Olasooko; and Comrade Joshua, who is a commander of Ogbomoso Parapo Security Group, assured members of the council that all their suggestions would be looked into.
Olude gave out some numbers farmers or communities in distress as a result of herdsmen’s attack can call, saying the association is committed to combating the threat, “We can’t allow our bright stars to be mindlessly murdered by these hoodlums any longer. We assure of quick responses in cases of emergencies and all your suggestions will be worked on.”
The Onpetu of Ijeru prince who has expressed much disgust over the murderous and destructive activities of the herdsmen warned those he called collaborators to desist to avoid the wrath of the gods.
“We are praying for divine intervention and let me say we have invoked the spirits of the ancestors, the ancestors are vexed. Saboteurs, traitors and accomplices are warned, those who for their own selfish interest aid and abet the criminal herdsmen must desist.”
He emphasized, “A new Ogbomoso is unfolding that is focused on development, we will work tirelessly to join other patriots to achieve this. Enough of herdsmen killings.”
