• Governor to amend anti-open grazing law
Victor Ogunje in Ado Ekiti
As suspected herdsmen last Sunday killed a farmer identified as Tunde
Olayemi, in Ipao Ekiti in Ikole Local Government Area of the state, Governor Ayodele Fayose and the state Commissioner of Police, Abdullahi Chafe, yesterday visited the beleaguered town.
Olayemi, a commercial motorcyclist was killed while on his cassava farm in Ipao Ekiti by two suspected Fulani men.
They appealed to the community not to retaliate the attack in the interest of peace and peaceful co-existence among all the ethnic groups resident in Ekiti.
He said the anti-open grazing law would be amended to give one year jail term to killers of cows in the state, saying the law must also protect the cattle owners.
At a meeting with the leaders of the town, Fayose promised to set up a five man committee that would investigate the root cause of the killings in the town.
He also promised to compensate the bereaved family and affected Fulani herdsmen who lost their cattle after the death was announced.
The governor also said he would initiate a process for the amendment of the anti-grazing law such that anyone who kills herdsmen cow would be jailed for a year.
To prevent the escalation of the crisis, Fayose appealed to the people of Ipao and their leaders to ensure that there is no reprisal.
“I appeal to you to ensure you live peacefully with the Fulani herdsmen in tour community. We want a peaceful situation and don’t allow any reprisal.
“We will investigate and get the root cause of this sad development and particularly why this community has become a flashpoint so we can
find a lasting solution to it.â€
The security operatives have been deployed in your town and would secure place,†he said.
Commissioner of police in the state, Ibrahim Chafe assured that he was holding a meeting with all other security operatives, such as the
Department of State Services (DSS), civil defence corps, army and the riot policemen on how to mobilise their men to secure the community.
