Residents of four communities in Idoani, Idogun, Imeri and Afo in Ose Local Government Area of Ondo State have issued a 21-day ultimatum to herdsmen to vacate their farmlands.
The Alani of Idoani, Oba Olufemi Olutoye, the Onidogun Oba Moses Bakare, Onimeri Oba Babatunde Adeniran and the Alafo was Oba Adegoke Egunjobi, in a communiqué they jointly signed, said their people could no longer tolerate the spate of kidnapping, killing and rape and daughters by the herders.
The monarchs expressed concern over the possibility of violent clashes and reprisals between the farmers and herders following the incessant destruction of cash crops by the herdsmen.
They added that the ultimatum remained the last option to avoid the breakdown of law and order, with the herdsmen allegedly rebuffing all entreaties to be law abiding.
According to the five-paragraph communiqué, the fear of frequent unprovoked attacks by the herdsmen has forced many farmers to abandon their means of livelihood, leading to economic meltdown in the area.
Describing the plan by the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria to set up vigilante group in Ondo State as an affront to Yoruba race, the four royal fathers vowed not to allow any part of the area to be used for RUGA in whatever guise.
They, therefore, called on the residents of the area to be vigilant and report any suspicious movement to the law enforcement agencies for appropriate action.
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