No fewer than three persons were allegedly killed by suspected Fulani herdsmen at Ijugbere forest in the Owo Local Government Area of Ondo on Saturday.
The deceased were said to be farmers in the area.
The Senior Special Assistant to Governor Rotimi Akeredolu on Agriculture and Agric Business, Mr Akin Olotu, confirmed the incident.
He described the killings as unfortunate, saying, “Those blaming Governor Akeredolu for saying the illegal occupants should vacate the forest should bury their heads in shame.”
The state Police Public Relations Officer, Mr Tee- Leo Ikoro, said he had not been briefed about the incident and promised to find out from the area.
Meanwhile, the state Commander of Amotekun, Chief Adetunji Adeleye, has said a good number of herdsmen have commenced registration with the state government, while a substantial number of them have left the forest reserves for neighbouring states.
Adeleye said, “It is difficult to give the exact number of herders who have left the forest reserve, but I know from our intel that not less than 15 different groups came to us to seek permission to usher them out of the state.
“Again, the government is not saying there should be no herders; what the government says is herders that are faceless and masquerading, herders that are armed robbers, kidnappers and committing different types of crimes in the forest reserves should leave.” (Punch)
