By Oluwakemi Ikotun
A violent clash erupted in Akure, the capital of Ondo State, between the state’s security force, Amotekun, and a group of Fulani herders. This incident resulted in several people being injured.
A clash erupted between Amotekun security forces and Fulani herdsmen in Akure, Ondo State, over the weekend. Both sides sustained significant injuries during the confrontation.
The incident occurred in the Igoba area while Amotekun officers were enforcing the state’s ban on open grazing. The officers apprehended over 120 cows and their herders for violating the law and damaging tomato farms worth millions of naira in Igoba town, within the Akure North council area.
The clash between the two groups resulted in injuries for both sides. According to Amotekun state commander Chief Adetunji Adeleye, his officers were attacked with projectiles and weapons, including stones, bottles, daggers, and firearms, leaving several of them injured.
Amotekun personnel were targeted by herdsmen while enforcing the state’s anti-open-grazing law, according to spokesperson Jimoh Adeniken. The herdsmen, armed with stones and bottles, assaulted the Amotekun officers, leaving one in a coma after an attempt to disarm them. In response, Amotekun officers fired warning shots to disperse the attackers and retreated to their headquarters.
Several Amotekun officers were hurt during the attack, with varying levels of injuries. They are currently receiving medical care at a hospital.
The owners of the cattle involved in the incident have been identified, and the Amotekun Corps is continuing to investigate the situation.
The government has promised to firmly enforce the law through legal channels to prevent farmers from losing their crops due to herders and their cattle damaging farmlands.