The farming communities in Shotubo, Sagamu Local Government of Ogun State have suffered great losses to the incessant attacks by people suspected to be Fulani herdsmen who have been continually unleashing terror on the area forcing the inhabitants to flee their village.
A livestock farmer, Chief Adeosun Daniel who has a big farm settlement in the community was moved to tears while narrating his experience during another attack that was recorded on the night of 16th October where he claimed to have lost properties worth millions of naira.
Chief Adeosun while speaking with newsmen in Ibadan during a meeting convened by South/West Livestock Farmers Association said the crisis started in 2016 after a clash by some farm owners and cattle herders which led to fatal losses for farmers and inhabitants of the community.
“The whole trouble started in 2016 when we forcefully drove them from the area after their cows destroyed some cash crops while grazing, and on Tuesday 22 November, these heartless people struck us by attacking Yoda Farm that was owned by Mr. Yekeen Otedola Ajanaku.
“It was the owner of Yoda farm that spearheaded the move to drive them and that was why he became the first target and he left the country after narrowly escaping from the assailants that burnt down his farm and some houses owned by the residents.
“This recent attack made it the fourth time they would be invading us and that is why we are calling on the Inspector General of Police to save us” Adeosun noted, as he added that, “The Commissioner of Police has held a security meeting with the villagers, Fulani herdsmen but resolutions have not been made”.
Another resident of Shotubo, Adeyemi Olaosebikan also told newsmen that inhabitants of the village have deserted their communities following the killings of some indigenes during an attack and the few people left are now living in fear because they believe the dreaded herdsmen may strike anytime.
Packaged by Olanrewaju Agiri
