Suspected Fulani Herdsmen Allegedly Kill 3 Persons, Burn Down Houses In Ondo
Gunmen suspected to be Fulani herdsmen have allegedly killed three persons during an attack on a community in Ose Local Government Area of OndoIt was gathered that the herdsmen attacked the community on Thursday night over the refusal of the villagers to allow the herders and their cows to feed on their farmlands.
The herders were said to have set the community and the farms on fire leaving villagers fleeing their homes and scampering for safety while their properties were destroyed by the attackers.
Commander Amotekun in Ondo, Chief Adeleye Adetunji, who confirmed the incident in a statement on Friday, said that the herdsmen who invaded the village also attacked operatives of the Amotekun.
Adetunji said “while on a routine patrol today at Molege in Ose Local Government Area of Ondo State our men were informed that some nearby villages in Molege have been taken over by herdsmen while the burnt down some people’s properties.
“We moved in with three patrol vehicles and took control of the situation in the village. On their way back, some men suspected to be herdsmen suddenly open fire on our men in an unprovoked attack because Amotekun does not want to start shooting people.
“We are trying to find out who they are as an adequate investigation is ongoing. We urged the people of the community to come back to their homes as peace has returned back to the village.”
Adetunji was however silent on the casualties recorded during the forceful invasion of the village by the herdsmen who were alleged to have perfected plans to invade and overrun other communities and camps overnight.
Ondo State Police Command has assured the people of the area of security of lives and property, with a vow to bring those behind the killing and destruction to book.
A statement from the command’s spokesperson, Funmilayo Odunlami, said the Commissioner of Police (CP) in the state, Oyeyemi Oyediran, led a team of police officers to the area on Friday to assess the level of damage done.
The statement reads, “The CP during his visit to the scene met with the community members, encouraged them, allayed their fears and vowed to arrest and prosecute all those involved in the evil act accordingly.
“CP Oyeyemi immediately deployed men of the special squads and police mobile force personnel to the community to ensure the protection of lives and property in the area.”
The commissioner assured the people of Ondo that the police would ensure that their lives and property were adequately protected.
He also enjoined residents to give the police genuine information that would help reduce crime to the barest minimum in the state.
