KEHINDE ADEWOLE, Ado Ekiti
The people of Orin Ekiti, in Ido/Osi local government area of Ekiti State on Wednesday protested against what they described as incessant invasion of their vast farmlands and destruction of crops worth over N50 million. In a peaceful protest, they alleged attempt by suspected herdsmen to forcefully take over their lands.
The aggrieved residents, comprising old and young men and women , raised the alarm that the suspected herdsmen, had destroyed crops in farms belonging to over 70 farmers.
They alleged that one person, Mr Emmanuel Ilori had been alleged killed by suspected herders while the Benue farmers farming in the town were chased away.
Daily Sun saw a red flag hoisted on a vast farm settlement several kilometre s from the main town. The flag has an image of a herder with an inscription that reads: “Keep off.”
Chanting derisive songs against the invaders, the aggrieved people carried placards with several inscriptions that amplify their grievances, some of which included : “Save Our Lives We are in danger in Orin Ekiti’ , ‘Save Orin Ekiti from Herdsmen invasion’, ‘We are Tired of molestation by Herdsmen’, ‘We Won’t Allow Fulani to Chase us from Our Land’, ‘Government Must Relocate Fulani Herdsmen’, among others.
Addressing newsmen on the development, a traditional chief in the town, Onikare of Orin Ekiti, Bamidele Fasuyi, alleged that the herders, had occupied and destroyed crops planted on the abandoned 2500 acres of land at Orin Farm settlement .
“What they wanted is to invade our land and chase us away. They even killed one of our able bodied men this year. They are imposing some curfew in this town, because our youths can’t go to farm freely and government has not been doing something. Several hactares of land had been destroyed. They used to operate at night with AK 47 rifle.
“Over 70 farmers were affected in our record. Crops worth 50 million have been ravaged . They ate up their products like Cocoayam, yam, cassava and others and made them to incur debts.
“We appeal to government to use the 2500 acres of land for farming. The state and federal government as well as private bodies should come to our aid. There were facilities like electricity, buildings and equipment that can aid farming if they want to invest “.
A youth leader, Mr. Omotoso Mathew Kayode, alleged that the suspected herders, had hoisted a flag at the farm settlement, where they warned the farmers to keep off or face death.
“They wrote keep off with a picture of a cattle rearer on the flag. This is a serious threat. The police , NSCDC and soldiers removed the flag last year , but they had hoisted another one.
“We used to do night guard to ward off attack,because the police had found it difficult to arrest them. Our graduates who have no jobs were going into farming , but they are suffering losses because of destruction by cows.
“,They must vacate the place. Governor Kayode Fayemi must relocate them. From our findings, they used to enter into this place from neighbouring towns like Isan, Ayede, and Ido and we are suspecting conspiracy .There may be famine in the land with the way things are going .
“We are not compromising our stand on this relocation. Chief Obafemi Awolowo-led government in the old Western region acquired the land in 1958 for arable farming and not for ranching”.
Omotoso appealed to Fayemi to compensate the farmers , for them not to abadon farming Outrightly.
The Oniwaro of Orin, Chief Mathew Oke, said Fayemi should comply with his promise to build a police station in the town and rejuvenate the farm settlement to ward off herdsmen invasion in the area.