Killings: Ekiti compel Fulani herdsmen to take oath
By Ahmed Abiodun
The Ekiti State Government has compelled Fulani herdsmen to take traditional oath of allegiance as a condition that they will be of good behavior and stop the rising wave of killings in the state.
The oath was administer on the Fulani using kolanuts, believed to be an agelong tradition shared by both Yoruba and the Fulani nationalities.
Irohinoodua was informed that the ceremony drew the presence of the Emir of Kano, Alhaji Mohammadu Sanusi who was represented by the former Kano State Governor, Alhaji Ibrahim Shekau.
The oath was directed by the Sarkin Fulani of Kwara State following the peace meeting organised by the State Governor, Mr Ayodele Fayose.
The meeting was called in the wake of incessant herdsmen attacks on innocent communities and the expulsion of traditional farmers from their trade owing to armed, sometimes organized attacks. The National President of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria, Alhaji Muhammadu Kiruwa was also at the meeting held in Ado-Ekiti.
Meanwhile, residents of Ipao-Ekiti are yet to return to their ancestral homes following threats from the Fulani herdmens after the killing of a 32 year old native, Mr Tunde Olaleye. An official of the town’s association, Mr Samson Dada told Irohinoodua that the city remains deserted and that only men are remaining after all the women and young girls relocated to Ikole, the capiatal of the local government.
“We had of plans to attack Ipao Ekiti. The women and children had to relocate. Only men are left in the town. We decided to stay back in order to defend our fatherland. Its really a shame that we find ourselves in this situation. In the days of Awolowo, this would not have happened. The present Ekiti Governor has tried, but other Yoruba states remain under siege and we are not save as long as other Yoruba cities and villages are under the armpit of the Fulani herdsmen” he told our correspondent.

The Press Secretary to the Governor, Mr Idowu Adelusi said “It was administered with sharing of kolanut, which is a Fulani tradition that is binding on the initiators. With this oath, issues of robbery, killing, damaging of farms and kidnapping among others being allegedly perpetuated by Fulani herders are over in the state.