James Sowole in Akure
As the Ondo State Security Network, Amotekun Corps, intensified operations to flush out herdsmen from the state forests, the herdsmen, too have launched attacks on some villages in the state.
No fewer than two persons reportedly lost their lives when some suspected herdsmen attacked the Sanusi Village in Owo Local Government Area of the state.
It was gathered that the incident occurred on Thursday, when a farmer and a member of a vigilante group whose identities were yet unknown as of the time of filing this report, were killed.
The operational motorcycles and vehicle of the Ondo State Security Network Agency, were also reportedly set ablaze by the bandits.
It was learnt that the attack occurred when the Amotekun men and other security agents were carrying out the order of Governor Rotimi Akeredolu to flush out the herdsmen who are illegally occupying the forest reserves in the state.
The Public Relations Officer of the Amotekun Corps, Mr. Adebayo Ayeni, confirmed the incident in a statement.
Ayeni said, “Men of Ondo State Security Network Agency, has again made another major breakthrough in their strive to get rid of criminal elements in Ondo State.
“This cartel were piling up arms and ammunition to invade the entire state, while masquerading as herders and using the forest as kidnappers den for negotiation and ransom, illegal mining activities and cultivation of Indian hemps.
“The security outfits in conjunction with the police, the army and other security agencies in the state however smoked them out of the forest, after it was discovered that the bandits had killed a farmer and a member of the vigilante group in the area.”
It was gathered that while the Amotekun Corps and other security agencies were pursuing the bandits sequel to a distress call, the suspected herdsmen, took another route and came back to the village where the operational motorcycles and vehicle of the corps were set ablaze.
