Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun, has ordered the security agencies in the state to investigate the recent clash between herdsmen and farmers in the Yewa-North area of the state that led to the loss of a life and destruction of properties.
The governor said this in a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Kunle Somorin,at the end of the state Security Council meeting held on Saturday in Abeokuta.
Abiodun was also said to have set up a Special Task Force that will maintain presence in all areas of the state prone to herders-farmers conflict to maintain peace and quickly respond to any form of violence or crimes.
The statement partly read, “The government is immediately setting up a joint security patrol team/ task force involving all security agencies in the state to not only deal with the situation, but to also nip in the bud any threat to violence or criminality.”
Abiodun also directed that those behind the recent violence in Eggua in Yewa North Local Government Area of the state should be brought to justice.
The statement read further, “We will not condone any act of criminality in the state no matter who is involved.
“The police and other security agencies have been directed to go after the perpetrators of this act and bring them to book. We will not allow anybody to disrupt the peace in Ogun State, and anyone who tries to test our resolve to maintain peace in our state will have himself or herself to blame.”
While commiserating with the family of the deceased, Abiodun also expressed his sympathy to those who lost their farmlands as well as cows during the unfortunate incident.
He said, “Our state is known for being a haven of peace, security and harmonious relationship amongst people of different ethnic groups whether citizens or settlers who consider the state their home.
This is a long and cherished tradition that we are proud of and which this administration is committed to sustain.
“We therefore condemn in strong terms the recent unfortunate violence orchestrated by certain elements by whipping up and capitalising on divisive ethnic sentiments to perpetrate an agenda that is inimical to public security and safety.”