SARS officer, 8 others die in herders/farmers clash

At least nine people, including a senior officer of the Special Anti-robbery Squad (SARS), were killed in the past two weeks due to

This was disclosed by the state's Commissioner of Police, Abiodun Odude, after a security meeting that involved Oyo governor, Abiola Ajimobi. He revealed that seven suspects have been arrested for the deaths.

He said, "The happenings in the last two weeks have been disheartening. We recorded killings of the officer in charge of SARS; a 70-year-old man, five unidentified people and another farmer, in Iseyin, Saki and Ile-Ido.

"So far, we have recorded death of nine people and we have arrested seven suspects.

"It is pathetic. We know that the cardinal programme of the state administration is to maintain peace and security. We are not going to allow such things to happen again. We have the men, the equipment and will to ensure that peace is restored. We must learn to live in peace."

Governor Ajimobi calls for calm heads

While speaking after the meeting, Governor Ajimobi directed security agencies to arrest and prosecute any armed cattle herder operating within the state.

The governor called for calm on all sides of the conflict and revealed that a surveillance unit, named Operation Burst, would be created under the Oyo State Joint Security Outfit, to curtail the menace of cattle rustlers, murderous herdsmen and farmers who may take the laws into their own hands.

He said, "The flagship of our administration's programmes and successes has been the maintenance of peace and security and we will not allow anybody to truncate this.

"Fulani people are good people; if not I will not allow my only son to marry a Fulani lady. We must separate criminals from the good people.

"Why will a herdsman be carrying gun? Henceforth, any herdsman found with guns should be arrested and prosecuted. Owners of cattle found grazing on farmlands and destroying crops should also be arrested and prosecuted. Any farmer that poison cattle should also be arrested and prosecuted.

"But, we must realise that some of these herdsmen come all the way from Niger Republic and Chad for grazing. Not all of these herdsmen are Nigerians.

"The people have their roles, while the government also have a role to play in finding lasting solutions to the menace. We must all participate in the security of our communities. Yes, it is the responsibility of government to guarantee the safety and security of the citizens, but we cannot do it alone.

"We must learn to live together in peace. A special surveillance unit will be created under the Operation Burst to curtail the excesses of those concerned and they will be adequately equipped and given necessary logistics."

The meeting was attended by the representatives of farmers, Fulani herdsmen, security agencies and other stakeholders, at the House of Chiefs, Secretariat, Ibadan.