The Olu of Ilaro and Paramount Ruler of Yewaland, Oba Kehinde Olugbenle, has warned the federal and state governments against possible consequences of the killing of people in Yewaland by Fulani herdsmen.
This warning is coming on the heels of Friday night invasion and attack by Fulani terrorists of Igbooro, Oja-Odan in Yewa North Local Government Area of the state, leaving three dead and two villagers injured.
The marauding herdsmen had reportedly invaded the village close to Eggua in Oja-Odan around 11 pm, shooting sporadically and setting ablaze three houses and storehouses in the village.
Reports indicate that a mother and her child were among the three persons hacked to death in their huts, while two persons were said to be in critical condition after they were shot by the herdsmen.
It was also learnt that many people, including children, sustained injuries.
The attack came barely 24 hours after five persons were killed in Owode Ketu.
Oba Olugbenle condemned the attacks in a statement released on Saturday titled: ‘Stopping the time bomb before it is too late,’ and addressed to President Muhammadu Buhari and Governor Dapo Abiodun.
The monarch said his people would defend themselves if the federal and state governments fail to nip the orgy of killings in the bud.
Oba Olugbenle, who described the activities of the herdsmen as criminal and dangerous, said they had wreaked havoc on many Yewaland communities, including Egua, Oja-Odan, Igan-Alade, Gbokoto, Ijoun, Owode-ketu, Ebute, Igbooro, and Imeko-Afon with reports of plans to attack major towns in the kingdom.
The statement read in part, “The attention of the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, His Excellency, Muhammadu Buhari, and all the security agencies is drawn to the continued siege of the entire Yewaland of Ogun State in the last few weeks by armed herdsmen and bandits callously killing, including literally slaughtering and maiming our people.
“The Federal Government and the Ogun State government are hereby implored, as a matter of extreme urgency, to act fast to secure the lives and property of our people before it spirals out of complete control.
“In this situation, it is not out of place that people may resort to self-help to defend themselves if the government fails to guarantee their safety as citizens of Nigeria in the face of renewed insurgency by these criminals terrorising our people with arms and dangerous weapons.”
Oba Olugbenle pleaded with the people to cooperate with the state government on various security measures already mapped out to curb the activities of the attackers, saying, “A stitch in time saves nine.”
