Residents and community leaders in eight communities in Ogbomoso South Local Government Area of Oyo State have given a group of unfamiliar herdsmen 48 hours to vacate the area, citing security concerns and alleged disruption of community life.
The ultimatum was issued at a security meeting held on Monday in the Samaday area following complaints from residents about the presence of the herders and their cattle.
The affected communities are Ibapon Are Oluwamodupe, Ayedire, Mercy Land, Estate, Irewolede, Ona Igbala, Ifesowapo and Grace Land.
The community leaders said the decision was also influenced by recent security incidents in parts of the Ogbomoso geopolitical zone, including reported cases of kidnapping in Oloka village and the recent abduction of 39 students and seven teachers in communities in Oriire Local Government Area.
The meeting was attended by the Baale of Ibapon, Ashifat Akanji; Chairman of Ogbomoso Parapo, Prince Aderemi Olude; Seriki Fulani in Ibapon, Alhaji Idowu; representatives of the affected communities and the herders.
Akanji said the communities were not opposed to peaceful coexistence with Fulani residents but were concerned about the presence of the group, whom he said residents did not recognise.
He said the communities had previously lived peacefully with Fulani residents in the area, adding that the latest group was different from those already known to the community.
Chairman of the eight communities, Alagbe Oyebamiji, alleged that the herders’ cattle had damaged farms and septic tanks and left animal waste on roads.
Oyebamiji said the activities allegedly created environmental and safety concerns for residents, adding that law enforcement agents had previously intervened and moved the herders away from the area before they allegedly returned.
Olude said Ogbomoso Parapo intervened after receiving complaints that the herders were allegedly creating a nuisance and raising security concerns.
He said the herders initially claimed they had permission from the Baale of Ibapon to occupy the area, but the traditional ruler denied granting such approval.
According to Olude, the herders subsequently claimed they had received permission from the Seriki Fulani in the area, Idowu, who also denied authorising their settlement.
Following the meeting, Olude said the communities resolved to give the herders 48 hours to leave, after which further action would be taken in accordance with the law.
He said the decision was aimed at protecting lives and property and urged residents to report suspicious activities to security agencies rather than resort to self-help.
