……Says Residents, Farmers are being kidnapped, killed at will.
Ijagba community in Ose Local Government Area of Ondo State, has protested the incessant attack, kidnapping and killings of residents by suspected herdsmen, saying communities in the area are now under the siege of terrorists.
The community, raised the alarm over the unending criminal activities of killer herdsmen in the area on Thursday in Akure, the Ondo state capital
High Chief Sunday Ogoh, the Prime Minister of Ijagba community, who spoke with journalists on behalf of the community said just three days ago, one of the illustrious indigenes of the town named Ohiremen Isaac Odeh was killed by the killer herdsmen, while his son Solomon Isaac Odeh was kidnapped but released after a ransome of four hundred thousand naira was paid by the community.
Sunday Ogoh, also expressed sadness over the recent kidnapping and subsequent killing of a politician, Hon. Bola Adelegbe, who was a younger brother to a member of the House of Representatives, Hom Timilehin Adelegbe.
Ogoh said “We came here to inform the whole world what is happening in our local government area most especially at Ijagba community, for the past two years we have not been having peace of mind in our community with a lot of kidnapping, killings, burning of our houses, farm lands by these Fulani herdsmen that had been terrorising the community.
Ogoh said; “we are constrain to inform the Ondo state government of the disheartening incident in Ose Local government south axis particularly in Ijagba town.”
“Just three days ago, we lost one of our illustrious son by name Ohiremen Isaac Odeh while the son too, named Solomon Isaac Odeh also attacked on their way to the farm. Apart from that, in that area, we also lost one of our former Chairman Mr. Bola Adelegbe.
“In search for the victims in the bush it was discovered that Mr. Ohiremen Isaac Odeh was killed by the abductors, while his lifeless body was found after trekking son kilometers in the bush.
“In same day, the remains of Mr. Ohiremen Isaac Odeh has been deposited in the mortuary, while a ransom of four hundred thousand naira, (N400,000) was paid to the abductors to release his son.
“It is now imperative, due to the ugly incident to carry out and seek the support of the government and all relevant authorities to protect our lives and properties, which is one of the aims of the government since we can no longer go to the farm or sleep with our two eyes closed.
“This problem is not only limited to Ijagba, these Fulani herdsmen do operate in Imoru, Molege, Arimagija, Ute and Okeluse. That axis there is no security in that areas.”
The community leader appealed to Governor Rotimi Akeredolu and his Deputy to intervene.
“So we are appealing to the state government that we need; strong military base, Nigerian Army to be specific so that they can mount one or two checkpoint in the area between Ifon, Imoru, Ijagba, Ute and Okeluse in order to reduce the attack of these Fulani herdsmen.
“Now many people cannot go to their farms, and whenever you’re going to the farm, you must be looking both your left and right and front and back because they can attack you at any time with their guns and weapons.
“The area has become the den of terrorists because there is a big forest reserve behind Okeluse, they use the place as their base and whenever they kidnapped people they will ask for ransom and once you cannot give them the ransom within two to three days they will kill you. So we have lost about 20 souls in that areas in the last two years.
“We have reported to the state government and the security agencies in the state and the traditional rulers in that communities have held a several meeting but up till now we have not seen any positive responses from the state government.”
Solomon Isaac Odeh, the son of the deceased who was killed during the attack also confirmed the incident and said; they (herdsmen) use rope to tied me and my father and they said that if our relatives cannot pay the ransom they will kill us.
“They killed my father, while the sum of N400,000 was paid before they released me,” Solomon said.
Reacting to the attacks, the Police Spokesperson in the state, Funmilayo Odunlami-Omisanya said; “We are aware of the situation in the community and we are on top of the situation with a view to arrest those behind the attacks. I can assure you that with our investigation we will arrest the perpetuators.”
