A member of the House of Representatives, Tolulope Akande-Sadipe, says armed herdsmen have invaded Ogunmakin, Gambari Reserve, and surrounding communities within the Oluyole Federal Constituency, Oyo State.
She alleged that herdsmen have been destroying farm produce, intimidating local farmers, and using weapons such as guns and cutlasses to instil fear in residents of Ogunmakin.
According to her, the development has jeopardized the livelihoods of farmers, exacerbating the economic crises and food insecurity of the region.
Akande-Sadipe, who represents Oluyole Federal Constituency at the 10th Assembly, said she raised this concern on Friday in a matter of Urgent Public Importance in a Motion on the need to avert further loss of lives, humanitarian and food security crisis as a result of invasion of farmlands by armed herdsmen in Oluyole Federal constituency on the floor of the House earlier in the week.
She implored relevant arms of the Federal government and security agencies to intervene before the people are completely wiped out from their ancestral homes.
Akande-Sadipe further accused the armed herdsmen of “a deliberate agenda to destroy farm produce, intimidate local farmers, and using weapons such as guns and cutlasses to instil fear, thereby jeopardizing the livelihoods of farmers, exacerbating the economic crises and food insecurity of the region.”
She further noted that despite multiple reports to law enforcement agencies, no decisive action has been taken to address the situation, leaving farmers vulnerable and unprotected.
“The failure to act swiftly has emboldened the perpetrators, leading to increased attacks, destruction of crops, and threats to lives and property, with the risk of further escalation if immediate action is not taken”, she ascertained.
She recalled the resolution of the igangan crisis in 2021, where decisive steps were taken to address similar issues, including the enforcement of anti-open grazing laws and the deployment of security forces to restore peace and protect farmers;
She sought immediate investigation of the reported cases of intimidation, destruction of farmlands, and use of weapons by herdsmen in the area and ensure the arrest and prosecution of perpetrators to serve as a deterrent to others.
