A former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Chief Olu Falae, Sunday night, revealed why suspected Fulani herdsmen burnt his farmland at Imafon in Akure South Local government area of Ondo state.
He said the arsonists attack has become an annual thing by the herdsmen.
He said: “They burnt the farm so that in the next few days, fresh grass will spring up which their cattle will later feed on. This is what the Fulani herdsmen do every year. The oil palm plantation was affected as well as some parts of the yam and cassava plantations”
“As I speak to you, the farm is burning. I had to call the commissioner of police, Gbenga Adeyanju who detailed the Akure Area Commander to go with my Personal Assistant and Farm Manager to the farm.”
Falae also vowed that any attempt to ‘recolonize’ the southwest through cattle colonies would be resisted.
” This is not about politics but the future of our people..we will resist any attempt to introduce any cattle colonies.”
Meanwhile, The Ondo State Police command has confirmed that Falae’s farm was set ablaze by suspected herdsmen on Sunday evening.
Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) in the state, Femi Joseph who confirmed that the command had began investigation on the matter.
He said “I can confirm to you that part of the farm was set on fire. Our men headed by the area commander, Ala, are on the farm trying to put out the fire
” Unfortunately, the fire fighter said the do not have any equipment to help us. What we are doing now is damage control to ensure that the fire does not escalate and cause more damage
“For now, we spoke with Chief Falae CSO, he said he suspected the Fulani herdesmen. Nobody was caught in the act, nobody was seen at the scene
” We have started our investigation to see if the suspect could be linked to the offense. But we are assuring members of the public that whoever is involved in the act will face the full wrath of the law “.
