Ogun Police Command yesterday warned residents of communities in the state to stop attacking Fulani residents living in the state or get ready to face the full weight of the law.
The Police Command yesterday said it arrested three suspects for alleged arson on the residence of Seriki Fulani of Eggua, Adamu Oloru, and the Kara market.
Hoodlums had on Monday, set ablaze a house and Kara Market belonging to Seriki Fulani, in continuation of the ‘anti-killer herdsmen’ battle led by Sunday Adeyemo, otherwise called Sunday Igboho, in the South West.
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One Alhaji Jiji was burnt to death, while scores of cows were also killed during the attack.
The incident happened on Monday night when Igboho stormed the troubled area in Yewaland.
However, the spokesman of the Command, Abimbola Oyeyemi, yesterday told newsmen in Abeokuta that three suspects have been arrested in connection with the crime.
Oyeyemi also disclosed that there have been attacks in the past three days on herdsmen settlements in Yewaland.
According to him, the settlements affected have been in existence in the area for many years, in some cases for over 20 years, and inhabited mainly by Nigerian herdsmen of Fulani extraction, some of whom he said were born and brought up in the area, and speak the Yoruba language with proverbs fluently.
He said inhabitants of the affected Fulani settlements are ‘generally qualified to be called fellow Yorubas!”
‘Therefore, it is unlawful, indeed unconstitutional, to deny fellow Nigerians the right to live in any part of the country and pursue their legitimate businesses, including cattle rearing. However, it is also advisable that herdsmen should avoid the destruction of farmlands, which has been identified as the reason behind their unending disharmony and clashes with farmers and host communities,’ the statement said.
The police spokesman called on both farmers and herdsmen in the Yewa area and across the state to fish out criminals who are ‘perpetually creating tension amongst them, thus undermining their long and cherished history of peaceful coexistence.’
Speaking on the arrest made, Oyeyemi said the suspects would be prosecuted to serve as a deterrent to others.
‘Kingpins, procurers and counsellors of these hoodlums will also be fished out to face the law.
‘The Command, therefore, enjoins the good people of Ogun State to join hands with security agencies in promoting peaceful coexistence amongst all Nigerians living in the state. In the same vein, all the security agencies, have resolved to deal decisively with miscreants and brigands alike, who are bent on fomenting trouble in the state.
‘Ogun State is known for peace, and peace must continue to reign in the state. Parents are therefore advised to call their wards to order, as anyone caught fomenting trouble in any part of the state will be dealt with decisively,’ the statement said.
It has been long since Nigerians awoke to the cheering news, either in the media or from their neighbours, because of increasing security challenges witnessing deaths and destruction across the country. People who spoke to Daily Trust on Saturday said it would require political will and active support of various stakeholders nationwide, devoid of mutual suspicion, ethnic and religious profiling, to surmount the daunting security breaches in almost all the geopolitical zones of the country.
AFRICA DAILY NEWS, NEW YORK
