It was a bloody Friday in Kogi State as some suspected Fulani herdsmen invaded two local government councils respectively killing 10 persons and then set their farm land ablaze.
The incident took place in Omala and Yagba West local government councils respectively.
According to an eye witness account on Saturday, some Fulani herdsmen invaded Ogabifo village near Agbenema community in Omala local government council of the state on Friday with their cattle.
According to the source, the Fulani herdsmen invaded the farmland and feed their cattle with the produce of the farm, and when the owner of the farm with his family approached them, they attacked the farmer and his family and chased them to the village where about 10 people were killed.
It was further gathered that after invading the village, the Fulani herdsmen went back to the farm and destroyed their crops and then ran away.
A source name withheld said the Fulani herdsmen numbering 5 were fully armed with AK 47 and other dangerous weapons. The source also confirmed to our correspondent that the villagers have run away from the various houses as the Fulani herdsmen promised to invade the village again.
In another similar incident, Fulani herdsmen have also invaded another farm land in Yagba West local government council of the state.
An eye witnessed account disclosed to DAILYPOST that the Fulani herdsmen with over 30 cattle invaded a rice farm owned by a woman in Omi, destroyed the rice farm and chased farmers from their farm land.
A farmer, who doesn't want his identity to be known disclosed to our correspondent that the Fulani herdsmen were fully armed when they arrived in the farm land.
He added that other farmers were in their farm working when the heard several gun shot when the Fulani herdsmen invaded the farms.
He stated that it was by God grace they escaped from their farms. He therefore appealed to the state government to take a proactive step by calling on the Fulani herdsmen to order.
It could be recalled that, the Kogi State governor, Alhaji Yahaya Bello last week had said that he will not introduce any anti grazing law to curtail the activities of Fulani herdsmen in the state.
According to the governor during a tripartite stakeholders meeting between the state government, the Miyyeti Allah Cattle Rearers Association and the Farmers Association in Kogi State, Bello said rather, he threw the gate of the state opened to any Fulani herdsmen who have been finding it difficult to stay in states like Benue, Ekiti and Nassarawa states to see Kogi as their next destination as the state was ready not only to accommodate them but also provide security for their lives and property.
Governor Bello said that the people of the state must go and learn how to coexist peacefully with the cattle rearers. The governor also read riot acts to the traditional rulers, in the state vowing to adopt all available means to punish them if they fail to instil discipline and prevent further breakdown of law and order in their domain.
"My administration will deal with any traditional rulers any where there is crisis, the traditional ruler will be removed or dethrone from office," he warned.
When contacted, the Kogi State Police Public Relation officer, ASP William Ayah could not confirm the incident saying " he will contact the affected local government DPO's to get information about the incident and get back to our correspondent before the day runs out".
Dailypost
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