The six southwest state governors will meet Fulani leaders over the crisis between farmers in their states and herders, mostly dominated by the Fulani ethnic group.
According to reports, the meeting is aimed at discussing the ultimatum issued by Governor Rotimi Akeredolu on the herders to vacate forest reserves in the state and also find a lasting solution to the repeated clashes between herders and farmers in the six states.This is coming after the Ondo State government issued a seven-day ultimatum to herders to leave the state. A similar ultimatum was also issued in Oyo State by a youth leader in the state, named, Sunday ‘Igboho’ Adeyemo.
But Bello Bodejo, the president of Miyetti Allah, the umbrella body of Fulani herders in Nigeria, said he has not been invited to the meeting. BBC Hausa reported today, that Adeyemo blamed the herders for the spate of kidnapping and killings in the Ibarapa and Oke Ogun regions of Oyo State. He also claimed he was shot at when he visited the residence of Seriki Fulani in Igangan, a town in Ibaraba, Oyo State, last week.
However, Oyo State governor Seyi Makinde in his response to Igboho’s claim said security agencies in the state fight crime and criminality irrespective of their tribes, religions, or creed. He added that his administration would not allow anyone to threaten the peace of the state by acting unlawfully as such is against the nation’s constitution.