Ondo community goes tough on nomads

RESIDENTS of Ese-odo Local Local of Ondo State, under the auspices of Arogbo Ijaw Community Organisation, have outlawed the immigration of herdsmen into their communities.

This was consequent upon the arrest of four of them with dangerous weapons by a vigilance group in Agadagba Obon town.

The four suspects, whose identities were unknown, according to reports, had been handed over to the state police command for further investigation.

In a statement yesterday in Akure, the chairman of the association, Deacon James Ashidi, implored security agents to stop herdsmen from entering any of their communities.

He lamented that the development had instilled fear among residents, especially women who have reportedly stopped going to farm for fear of being attacked by the herdsmen.

His words: “We must tell the whole world that following the development (arrest of the herdsmen), there is a growing apprehension in Arogbo Ijaw land, particularly among the women fold who are scared of going into the forest for their daily businesses for fear of being attacked.

“We have already set machinery in motion to train our vigilance group to work in collaboration with the police to comb every nook and cranny of our forest to fish out these herdsmen in order to ensure peace and tranquility.”

He urged residents to be vigilant and report any suspicious movement in the community to security agencies.

The state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Mr. Femi Joseph, confirmed the arrest and disclosed that the command had begun investigation on the matter.