By Friday Omosola, Ondo
Ondo State Governor, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu has visited Omolege, an agrarian community in Ose Local Government Area of Ondo state, where gunmen suspected to be Fulani Herdsmen murdered three people and razed down houses on Thursday, 6th January, 2022.
Akeredolu while condoling the people over the death of their loved ones and the community head, pointed out that the government is saddened over the gruesome murder of the innocent people.
The Governor, who visited the community during the weekend, described the attack as unfortunate and pledged that concerted efforts will be made to guarantee that such attack does not reoccur in the state.
He urged the residents to be vigilant, stating that the government and security operatives are not sleeping in performing their duties, which is protection of life and properties of the citizens.
“These herdsmen are becoming too problematic and with this one they have done, we will ensure that it is their last evil act here,” the governor added.
“Those behind this are criminals. Those supporting them are all criminals too. Anyone who commits crime will answer for it. The Police and Amotekun with other security agencies will set out and bring them to justice. We will treat them like criminals.
“Both the Police and Amotekun have briefed me that they were being shot at. But for their boldness and courage, the criminals would have overwhelmed them,” the Governor added.
He assured the people of the community not to be scared, letting out that the government is still on their track, stating that the criminals have run to Edo.
Akeredolu added that the government will bring relief materials and rebuild houses that were razed completely.
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The Akarigbo of Ute Land, Chief Felix Olabode, earlier narrated how the ugly incident happened.
He said: “I was home when we heard that some gunmen came and killed people here. We came here immediately and we met a dead body. These buildings have all been razed.
“When we alerted the Police, the DPO came and we didn’t know that those people were still around. Not less than 30 minutes after the Police evacuated the dead bodies, the gunmen came back and razed these buildings down.
“They always use guns to scare people away here and then bring their cows to graze on people’s farms and drink water. When they are leaving too, they also use guns to scare people away and leave. We have seen the level of damage here. People have left here. We are begging the government to come to our rescue.”
Speaking, the Coordinator of the Oodua People’s Congress (OPC) in the area, Folorunso Olofe affirmed that the gunmen attacked with AK 47.
According to him, “This has been happening for a long time. They are always coming with AK 47, they were more than 50. One Amotekun officer was hit with a bullet during the attack. They came and killed the Baale. Police came and evacuated the dead bodies and not up to fifteen minutes, they came back and razed this place.” he said.
Recall that The Trumpet had reported few days ago that no fewer than three persons were reportedly murdered and houses razed by gunmen suspected to be Fulani herdsmen in Molege an agrarian community, following the refusal of the residents to allow the herdsmen to graze on their farms.