Traditional rulers in Akoko community of Ondo State, in collaboration with prominent community leaders, yesterday held a meeting at Isua, headquarters of Akoko South East Local Government Area, on security matter.
This followed the invasion of Ikaram Auga-Akunu-Akoko in the Northern District of the state by suspected Fulani herdsmen in four trailers.
They were said to have left Iseyin in Oyo State to settle in Akoko on the invitation of a Fulani settler.
The stakeholders’ meeting was chaired by the Olisua of Isua-Akoko, Oba Afesuloye Oyolola, who hailed Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu for maintaining law and order across the state.
The participants reiterated their belief in peaceful co-existence and Nigeria’s nationalities.
They recognised the right of every citizen to pursue his or business without hindrances.
But the Akoko monarchs and eminent stakeholders opposed the establishment of a cattle colony in any part of the community.
This, they maintained, would ensure that the rightful owners are not deprived of their landed property and crops.
The Akoko leaders condemned the recent invasion of Ikaram-Auga-Akunu and Isua by Fulani herdsmen.
They lauded the efforts of law enforcement agents and the state government for curtailing tension that followed the invasion.
The meeting noted that shortage of security personnel necessitated the setting up of vigilance groups to be monitored by the monarchs for more effective maintenance of law and order.
Besides, it urged the state government to make a law that will regulate open grazing by herdsmen.
The meeting was attended by Olukare of Ikare-Akoko, Oba Akadiri Momoh, who is also the Chairman of the Council of Obas; the Olubaka of Oka-Akoko, Oba Adebori Adeleye; the Akala of Ikaram, Oba Andrew Momodu and Owa of Igbagi, Oba Victor Olasehinde, among others.
