…For allegedly attacking herdsman, killing four of his cattle
…Awards N5m to parents of lad shot dead by trigger-happy security personnel
From: WOLE BALOGUN, Ado-Ekiti
Governor Ayo Fayose of Ekiti State, on Monday, ordered immediate arrest of seven youngmen said to have allegedly attacked an herdsmen, simply identified as Ibrahim and killing four of his cows. The youngmen, (names withheld) were found to be among about 100 youths of Igogo-Ekiti community who allegedly attacked the herdsman and killed four of his cows while they were grazing.
The governor also directed that an immediate and thorough investigation be embarked on by the police so as to get to the root of the alleged attack on the herdsman and his cows.
It would be recalled that over 100 angry youths of the community allegedly attacked Ibrahim while his cows were grazing in the community a few days ago. The youths were said to have allegedly shot Ibrahim but the local rifle refused to fire at him due to a speculation that the herdsman had fortified himself with some traditional charms. The assailants therefore shot four of his cows dead and would have allegedly thrown him into a river had he not ran away from the spot.
In another development, Daily Sun gathered that a dispute over who wears the crown of a chieftaincy title, the Ashabi, also brewed sectional bad blood among natives of the town leading eventually to another breakdown of law and order.
Some personal of the security operatives detailed to restore order in the community were accused of allegedly shooting at a teenager, who died shortly after serious gunshot injuries.
Wading into the crisis, governor Fayose summoned a meeting with people and leaders of the town and having listened to parties involved, ordered arrest of the seven youths, imposed a three-Day dusk to dawn curfew on the community and awarded a sum of five million Naira, (N5 Million) to the parents of the lad who was allegedly shot dead by a trigger-happy security personnel.
Speaking shortly after meeting with leaders and some people of the town at the government House, Ado-Ekiti, governor Fayose said: “I have ordered for immediate arrest and detaining of those seven people because we have established that they went with many others to attack an herdsmen and killed four of his cows. That is an act of criminality which would not be condoned by our government. If we can jail herdsmen for violating the anti-grazing Law of the state, we would not hesitate from punishing our people who illegally and unjustly attack any herdsman in our community. Nigeria is one and we must ensure our unity. The herdsmen and our people have equal rights on our soil, no one should attack or harass them. I have also ordered a thorough investigation into the activities of the youths and that of the trigger-happy security personnel that shot dead the teenager and we will get to the root of these.
We have also awarded a sum of N5 million to the deceased family so as to cushion the effect of their grievous loss,” he said.