Attack on farmers: We are investigating — Ogun govt

Ogun State government, on Saturday, assured all residents of the state of adequate security, and that the reported case of soldiers escorting herdsmen to attack some villagers was being investigated.

Kunle Somorin, the Chief Press Secretary to Governor Dapo Abiodun, gave the assurance while reacting to a report that soldiers from the 35 Artillery Brigade, Alamala, Abeokuta, escorted some Fulani herders to a community in Yewa South Local Government, to destroy their farmlands and molest farmers.

According to him, it was reported that “10 soldiers escorted some herdsmen to intimidate the villagers after they resisted an attempt by the herders to graze their cattle in the community.

The villagers’ resistance was due to alleged repeated attacks and killing of farmers who dared protest the destruction of their farms.

“The herdsmen, who had departed the village, suddenly resurfaced at about 2p.m. on December 19, 2020, with a handful of soldiers from the 35 Artillery Brigade, Alamala, Abeokuta.

“They went to the palace of the traditional ruler of the community, Chief Olaleye Adigun, called out the villagers and warned them against preventing the herdsmen from returning to the village.”

Somorin said the government was investigating the matter, assuring that anybody found culpable would be dealt with according to the law.

He added that the state government would not fold its hands and watch anybody turn the state into a war zone.

He urged all the residents of the state, especially those living in the affected community, not to take the law into their hands.

“We are not shying away from our responsibilities to protect lives and properties. We will take decisive steps to deal with criminal elements that may want to puncture the peace and security enjoyed by the residents,” Somorin added.