Herdsmen crisis: Avoid lonely settlements, Yewa Oba advises subjects

The Olu of Ilaro and Paramount Ruler of Yewa land, Oba Kehinde Olugbenle, has told his people living in isolated farm settlements to retire to town every day until a permanent solution is found to the menace of renegade herdsmen.

This is just as Governor Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State announced on Monday he would be hosting some Northern governors on Tuesday to find a way to defuse the rising ethnic tension in the state.

Oba Olugbenle said this is not a time to stay overnight in far away farm settlements.

He charged them to come to town to sleep and go back in the morning to ensure the security of their lives.

He also told his people to speak with one voice and give the needed support to the task force deployed to the communities to provide protection.

Meanwhile, Governor Abiodun who spoke during his assessment of some areas in Yewa North affected by the recent herdsmen-related violence said he and some Northern governors would be exploring ways of finding enduring peace in the communities.

The governor visited Oja Odan, Ebute Igbooro, Asa, Eggua and others, promising to ensure adequate security of lives and property, as well as to compensate victims of the attacks.

“Towards further ensuring peace, we will hold a stakeholders meeting, which would have a number of Northern Governors in attendance, tomorrow.

“This forum will have the representatives of all areas affected by this violence and some of the people who have been living with us for so many years. There will be representatives from outside the State and those we will be listening to. It is our hope and desire that at the end of the forum, we would find a common ground on how to live peacefully.

“We are providing all needed support to the agencies. So rest assured, this growing menace will stop as the State Government caters for the affected,” Abiodun said.