[size=16pt]Suspected herders kill 7 in Kwara community
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Eruku community of Kwara State has decried what it called frequent attacks by suspected Fulani mercenaries, calling on the police to come to their aid.
The traditional ruler, Oba Busari Olarewaju and other stakeholders of the community during a town hall meeting lamented that over seven members of the community, including a local hunter have lost their lives to attacks by suspected herdsmen.
The community however resolved not to take the laws into their hands. It urged youths to remain calm in the face of provocation.
Oba Olanrewaju lamented that the community had been experiencing attacks for the past ten years.
“By my record, they have killed over seven people. This has been a serious problem to us. I have personally written series of letters to the authorities concerned, even to the state House of Assembly.
“We held meetings with Seriki Bororo on this issue more than ten times, including the DPO and traditional council of Ekiti Local Government Area at Osi on the need to live in harmony with one another, but to no avail. We want government and the law enforcement agency to come to our aid.
“The community has hunters who are battle ready but we don’t want to take laws into our hand. And if possible, these herdsmen should be settled in cattle ranches.
“We don’t want them to continue to kill us and destroy our property. Government should do something about it urgently in the interest of peace and harmonious living”, he said.
Also speaking, President of Eruku Descendant Union (EDU), Chief Emmanuel Oni, said community leaders and the traditional institution in Ekiti Local Government Area were disturbed about the situation and are working with relevant stakeholders, including the police and the leadership of Fulani community to tackle it.
“The government is aware of our plight, likewise the police. The authority concerned has taken necessary steps to arrest the situation. You can see armed mobile policemen, they are here to protect our lives and property”, he said.
The state Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Ajayi Okasanmi said the command was aware of the matter, adding that preliminary investigation had commenced into the incident. He assured the villagers of full protection, even as he advised them not to take the laws into their hands.