Kwara Group Raises Alarm As Herdsmen Take Over Community

The Oodua Peoples Congress (OPC) has raised concerns over the invasion, displacement and takeover of farmlands by herdsmen in Kwara South senatorial district.

The invasion of farmlands was said to have been perpetrated by herdsmen dislodged about two years ago, from Igangan area of Oyo state.

The displaced herdsmen had found sanctuary in Kwara State.

Coordinator OPC, in Kwara Bayo Fabiyi raised the alarm the unsavory situation portends a time-bomb in the district.

The OPC chief said that his organisation warned the government of the danger inherent in accommodating the displaced Igangan herdsmen from Igangan

Fabiyi alleged the alien herders chase and graze on the indigenous farmers lands.

He added that these farmlands taken over are cultivated by the herdsmen, saying that the proceeds are thereafter sold to the impoverished indigenous farmers.

“It is very sad and provocative that herdsmen come from different parts of the world to chase away indigenous farmer by allowing their cattle to graze on farms and after farmers got chased away and frustrated, these herdsmen take over their lands and farm on it.

“How come that cattle don’t graze on farms cultivated by these herders and they make profit as their harvest are sold in our markets to our people, thereby reaping the economy of our geographical zone to their own pockets.”

Ifabiyi accused traditional rulers in the areas of complicity and helplessness.

“Our Obas are afraid of the Emir of Ilorin. They look away from happenings and aside from that, the herders go to settle them heavily, so it is a situation that can lead to a revolt in near future.”

He called on the Governor AbdulRazaq AbdulRahman to immediately set up a high powered committee to look into the issue of invasion of Kwara lands by these herders before matters escalate into a crisis proportion.

He also urged all stakeholders in the State to wade in to issues raised to ward off possible violent farmer/herders clash.

He appealed to incoming President Asiwaju Ahmed Bola Tinubu to come to the aid of the state government.