Normalcy has returned to the Akure South Local Government Secretariat after an earlier clash between herdsmen and a farmer.

An eyewitness who spoke with SUNSHINE HERALD said the trouble started when herdsmen grazed their cattle into the vegetable farm of a farmer who is a staff of the local government.

Reports say the farmer’s attempt to caution the herdsmen for destroying his farm resulted in a reprisal attack by other herdsmen in the area, who created a scene at the council secretariat.

The tension caused by the clash made all members of staff of the area council desert their offices in fear.

However, normalcy has returned after men of the Nigeria Police Force and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC led by the Ondo State Police Commissioner, Gbenga Adeyanju and Pedro Ideba, the Civil Defence boss came around to quell the altercation.

When SUNSHINE HERALD visited the secretariat, men of the Nigeria Police Force and Nigeria Army were seen stationed at strategic positions to prevent further breakdown of law and order.

Speaking with SUNSHINE HERALD, Ondo State Police Public Relations Officer, Femi Joseph allayed the fears of members of the public on the attack.

Corroborating the earlier report by the eyewitness who spoke with our reporter, the police image maker said it was just a “minor clash” between the herdsmen and the farmer who was preventing the cows from eating his vegetable.

“The farmer had his farm behind the Akure South local government secretariat, and when the herders were bringing their cows, the man prevented them from eating his vegetable. As he was trying to struggle with the herder to dispossess him of his machete, the machete injured one of the herders.

“This angered the herders, and they pursued the man, and the man ran into the secretariat, and everybody came out. That attracted a lot of people.

“The CP (Commissioner of Police) then went there, and we doused the tension and calmed everybody. Normalcy has returned now, and there is no cause for alarm.

Joseph also said the police has arrested two of the herdsmen.

Efforts to speak to the Caretaker Chairman of Akure South Local Government, Mrs. Margaret Atere proved abortive, as her number was switched off when our reporter called her.

Workers in the local council are however apprehensive and afraid, asking for more protection.

Some of the workers who spoke with SUNSHINE HERALD said they are afraid the herdsmen might come back to attack them.

They further said they would not return to work until their security was guaranteed.

http://www.sunshineherald.news/police-arrest-2-in-herdsmen-farmer-clash-in-akure/

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