Herdsmen Attack Against Yoruba People Is Terrorism, South-West Leaders Insist

• Yoruba leaders have blamed herdsmen for the different crimes in Southwest –
• In fact, they agreed that the attack on the people of the region can be classified as terrorism

On Wednesday, prominent Yoruba leaders gathered in Ibadan, Oyo State, to discuss how to combat the problem of criminal herdsmen and other forms of insecurity in the area. They unveiled the South-West Security Stakeholders’ Group to supplement government law enforcement units.

The group has been placed under the leadership of the Are Ona Kakanfo of Yorubaland, Gani Adams.

Dr Kunle Olajide, Secretary-General of the Yoruba Council of Elders; Gani Adams, Aare Ona Kakanfo of Yorubaland; Chief Deji Osibogun, Leader of Yoruba Koya; Ifayemi Elebuibon, Araba of Osogbo; Agbekoya leaders and leaders of different groups were among those present at the meeting with the theme “Our destiny in our hands.”

Read Also: Yoruba Elders Blast Buhari, Say Nigerian Situation Worse Than 1967-1970 Civil War.

Participants unanimously agreed that the frequent herdsmen attack against the people of the South-West was terrorism and not farmers-herders clash as being claimed in some quarters. Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, was also part of the gathering held at the Mapo Hall, Ibadan.

The summit, which was organized by many socio-cultural groups, had Mr Sola Lawal as the chairman of its planning committee. At the end of the meeting, a communiqué was read by Olajide.

It stated that the recent call by the Minister of Defence, Major General Bashir Magashi (retd), on Nigerians to defend themselves against bandits jolted the citizens because such could only happen in a situation of complete breakdown of law and order.

The communiqué read in part, “That the Yoruba nation is deeply worried by the unfolding anarchy, particularly as it affects the South-West region, almost rendered comatose by daily occurrence of kidnapping, arson, maiming, destruction of economic facilities and killings.

“The acts of criminality being tagged farmers-herders clash is a case of terrorism and a case of crime against humanity.