The Ondo state police commissioner, Abayomi Oladipo, has warned herdsmen and youths in Uba/ Eshimeri Akoko and Aduloju camp, in Akoko South West, against killings and arson in the community.
Abayomi, vowed to bring to book the killers of a farmer, Sunday Ayeni and arsonists that wrecked havoc in Aduloju camp in the council area of the state.
Recall that a farmer, Sunday Ayeni, was gruesomely murdered by suspected herdsmen after some of them were made to pay compensation to the deceased when his farm was destroyed by their herds.
Tension consequently gripped the community following the murder of the farmer as other farmers abandoned their farmland while many other residents fled the community for fear of further attacks.
Women across the community, protested half naked to the palace of the traditional ruler, the Olubaka of Oka, Oba Adebori Adeleye, demanding for justice for the victim and an end to herdsmen attacks in the community.
Youths in the community, reportedly invaded the Fulani camp in Aduloju and set it ablaze.
In a swift response, the state police commissioner, Oladipo, who visited the community to assess the clash between the people of the community and the fulanis living in the area, read riot acts to the herdsmen and the youths.
Abayomi said in a statement issued by the commands spokesperson, Funmi Odunlami, said that “On Sunday, 1100hrs, a case of murder was reported at Oka division that a young man who is a farmer went to the farm and did not return, a search party was sent to the farm to trace his movement but his corpse was discovered along the farm road path, with his intestines out and suspected to have bled to death from a stab.
“On the same day, the Sarki of Ikare Akoko also reported that youths suspected to be Uba Akoko indigenes attacked Fulani settlements at Aduloju camp.
He added that ” On this premise, the command swiftly deployed personnel of the divisions to intervene and to avoid imminent crisis in the area.
” The Commissioner of Police in the course of his visit met with the people of Uba community, sympathized with them on the death of their beloved son and promise to bring to book the perpetrators while he also met with the fulanis in Aduloju camp that the arsonists will not be spared.
” Commissioner Abayomi, appealed to the two parties to maintain peace while the command is carrying out detailed investigation and directed the Criminal Investigation Department to take over the case.
“He also promised to meet with the Governor and relate all discussed in the meeting.
“The Command is using this medium to encourage the people of the state to always report crime to the nearest Police station and other security agencies within reach.
(Vanguard)