Oyo Farm Settlers Lament Attacks By Herdsmen

Settlers at the Ilora farm settlement in Afijio Local Government Area of Oyo State have called on the government to come to their rescue, following persistent attacks on them by a group of Fulani herdsmen.

The settlers alleged that the herdsmen who were armed with double-barreled guns and cutlasses grazed their animals on their farms destroyed their crops.

The said each time they challenged them, they were attacked, beaten up and injured in the process.

According to the Iman of the Settlement Alhaji Saliu Ade Salami many settlers have been victims of the herdsmen’s attacks and that on one occasion, his son’s arms were almost cut off after he was machete.

He explained that ever since, they have been living in fear because attempts to check the excesses of the herdsmen has always led to more threats from them.

“They invade our farmlands and destroy our crops which are our only means of livelihood”, adding that the matter has always been reported to the police without any positive response from them.

The Iman further said that the development has led some of the settlers to relocate to other parts of the state.

Also speaking the rice-secretary of the settlers’ forum, Mr. Sunday Ojo said his hectares of Cassava have been destroyed and eaten up by the grazing cows.