The Ogun government on Tuesday held a stakeholders’ meeting aimed at resolving the recent farmers/herders clashes in parts of the state.
The meeting, which was held at the Obas Complex in Abeokuta, was also attended by Gov. Rotimi Akeredolu of Ondo and four governors from states in the North.
The governors were Abubakar Bello (Niger); Abubakar Bagudu (Kebbi); Bello Matawalle (Zamfara) and Abdulahi Ganduje (Kano)
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the Yewa-axis of Ogun had in the recent past recorded series of clashes between cattle herders and local farmers leading to loss of lives and property.
Prince Dapo Abiodun of Ogun had on Thursday, set up a special task force comprising of top government officials, security agencies and local vigilante group to embark on fact-finding mission to the area.
Abiodun, speaking at the forum, said that the meeting had become necessary because the clashes were assuming a dangerous dimension.
The governor, who noted that herders and farmers had peacefully cohabited from time immemorial in Ogun, expressed worry over the development.
“I find it worrisome that farmers and herders who have been living for many years in our state and have continued to find joint solutions to their mutual challenges are suddenly at each other’s throat on account of sources of livelihood.
“We have noted that the misapprehensions had taken a violent dimension in the last couple of weeks with cases of arson, maiming and killings in extreme instances.
” The question is; what could have turned issues that hitherto had easy and workable templates for resolutions to suddenly become seemingly intractable,” he wondered.
Abiodun insisted that as a responsible government, the state could not fold its arms concerning a problem which was fast taking on an ethnic coloration.
The governor noted that his administration had always been methodical, inclusive, responsible and responsive in its approach to governance including security.
“We have set up a Fact- Finding Team headed by a Special Adviser to the Governor who is a Retired Assistant Inspector-General of Police (AIG).
” We have deployed a special security task force comprising of the Military, Nigerian Police, Department of State Services (DSS), local Vigilante groups, representatives of farmers, and representatives of other ethnic groups resident in our dear state.
” Already they are stationed in the hot spots of the conflict and we are sending them technical and logistic support, including vehicles and communication equipment.
” Additional vehicles and communication gadget have been procured and will be given out today after this event.
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