By Moshood Adebayo
Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, has ordered the security agencies in the state to investigate the recent clash between herdsmen and farmers in the Yewa Area of the state that led to the loss of a life and destruction of properties.
The governor in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Kunle Somorin, also disclosed that the governor had set up a special task force that will maintain presence in the areas in order to maintain peace and quickly respond to any form of violence or crimes.
Somorin said, Abiodun gave the order in Abeokuta at the end of the state Security Council meeting,
In recent times, there have been reported cases of invasion of the rural communities’ farms by herdsmen, who also allegedly raped and assaulted them.
“The government is immediately setting up a joint security patrol team / task force involving all security agencies in the state to not only deal with the situation, but to also nip in the bud any threat to violence or criminality.”
“We will not condone any act of criminality in the state no matter who is involved. The police and other security agencies have been directed to go after the perpetrators of this act and bring them to book.
‘’We will not allow anybody to disrupt the peace in Ogun State, and anyone who tries to test our resolve to maintain peace in our state will have himself or herself to blame”, the governor said.
While commiserating with the family of the deceased, Abiodun also expressed his sympathy to those who lost their farmlands as well as cows during the unfortunate incident.
The governor, who was quoted as saying that his priority in the state was the safety of lives and properties of everyone assured that his administration would not compromise on that.
He also directed that those behind the recent violence in Eggua in Yewa North area local government area of the state should be brought to justice.
“Our state is known for being a haven of peace, security and harmonious relationships among people of different ethnic groups whether citizens or settlers who consider the state their home.
This is a long and cherished tradition that we are proud of and which this Administration is committed to sustain. We therefore condemn in strong terms the recent unfortunate violence orchestrated by certain elements by whipping up and capitalising on divisive ethnic sentiments to perpetrate an agenda that is inimical to public security and safety,” Abiodun said.
