Some parts of Oriire local government in Ogbomoso axis of Oyo state have been thrown into panic following the sighting of gunmen numbering about seven believed to be Fulani bandits.
According to a news reaching ogbomosoinsightonline.com, the suspected bandits were seen in Alapasa area of the council area and were said to be fierce-looking.
A report which reportedly emanated from an unnamed Baptist cleric in the area, revealed that the heavily armed men last week attacked a villager though the victim was said to have survived the attack.
Sequel to this unprovoked attack by the suspected bandits tension had risen in the village and adjoining communities for fear of what might happen subsequently.
Findings revealed that though there had been misunderstandings previously between Fulani hersdmen and farmers in the council area due to farm destructions and killings of farmers by herdsmen “but this is the first time such heavily armed men would be seen in the area,” disclosed a source close to the communities.
The rising tension and palpable panic are not unconnected with the worsening insecurity situation across the country which had led to the deaths of thousands of people, and which has become the fuel for self-determination agitations in some parts of the country.
Meanwhile, it would be recalled that Ogbomoso Parapo Worldwide and some allied
associations recently expressed concern over the looming danger and promised to assist local security groups in order to enhance their operational activities towards meeting the challenge of securing the zone in conjunctions with government security agencies.
It is hoped that there would be prompt response to this threat before the criminals get a foothold and carve a beachhead in the area.
The bandits having been known for kidnappings, rape, killings, farm destructions and seizure of people’s ancestral lands, they must be flushed out in earnest.
