Rep laments influx of displaced herdsmen in Kogi

The lawmaker representing Kabba-Bunu/Ijumu Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Teejay Yusuf, has raised the alarm over an influx of displaced Fulani herdsmen and other northerners in Kogi State.

Yusuf alleged that the presence of the herdsmen poses danger to his constituency.

The lawmaker raised the alarm in a statement sent to our correspondent on Friday, titled ‘Urgent Need to Stop Influx of Herdsmen and their Dangerous Activities in Kabba-Bunu/Ijumu Federal Constituency.’

The Shasha market has been shut since last Friday when Yoruba and Hausa/Fulani communities clashed reportedly resulting in the death of some residents, destruction of properties, and displacement of people in the area.

Before then, Yoruba activist, Sunday Adeyemo, better known as Sunday Igboho, had issued a seven-day ultimatum to herders in the Ibarapa Area of Oyo State, accusing them of kidnappings, killings, destruction of farmlands, and insecurity in the state.

After confronting the herders in Ibarapa with some youths in the area at the expiration of the ultimatum, he moved to Ogun State and was received by thousands of youths.

The rising irredentism has led to the loss of lives in Oyo and Ondo States.

Yusuf, however, alleged that the relocation of the herdsmen to parts of Kogi State poses danger to the host communities.

The statement read in part, “Following the rising, unrestricted influx of alleged Fulani herdsmen into some communities in Kabba-Bunu/Ijumu Federal Constituency, which has led to very serious, grievous security situation, breach of law and order as well as its negative effect on peaceful co-existence, Hon. Teejay Yusuf has made a most passionate call for immediate actions by security and intelligence agencies to stem the tide.

“The activities of these suspected herdsmen, who allegedly migrated into communities within the constituency from Ondo and other neighbouring states in the South West, has become worrisome and dangerous, which if left unchecked, poses a serious threat to the peace, unity, comfort, and security of the constituency.

“It has become absolutely necessary that the unrestricted influx of these characters into our communities be tackled and addressed immediately, and nipped in the bud with more seriousness, tact, courage, and sincerity before it gets out of hand.

“According to reports, in recent weeks, the spate of attacks on innocent, law-abiding and helpless communities by these rampaging herdsmen have led to the destruction of farmlands, loss of properties and other valuables.

“For instance, during the course of these attacks, a community school in Bunu District was burnt down, while just yesterday two hunters on their legitimate business at Iyamoye town in Ijumu Local Government Area were brazenly, seriously attacked by these alleged herdsmen, who boasted and threatened thereafter to come back and inflict more harm to people in these and other more communities.”

While asking how the alleged herdsmen were able to beat the different security and intelligence agencies in and around the states and found their way into the communities, the lawmaker said, “One is appalled with the apparent downward slide in the activities and operations of security agencies across the country.”