Fulani herdsmen attack farm settlement in Ekiti, kidnap one, others flee into the bush

Emmanuel AmudaJune 13, 2021

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Unknown gunmen suspected to be Fulani herdsmen, numbering about 18, attacked a farmstead at Iyemero Ekiti, in Ikole Local Government Area of Ekiti State and abducted a farmer, Jimoh Olodan.

It was gathered that the incident occurred on Friday night around 11.15pm at Elegure farm settlement of the community.

Newsflash Nigeria gathered that the farmstead is about three kilometres and 15 minutes drive to the community.

Sources said the gunmen, numbering about 18, invaded the farm settlement where the farmer and his household were, shooting sporadically and in the process, took Olodan away.

A source, who witnessed the incident, said, “We were about going in to sleep at about 11pm on Friday night when we heard gunshots. But before we knew what was happening, they appeared.

“When they saw Alhaji (Olodan), they took him away. They initially wanted to take away one of his two wives along with him, but on second thought, they freed the woman and left with Alhaji. They did not come with any vehicle.”

Meanwhile, Chief Ogungbemi, who is the Babaloja of Iyemero, told journalists, on Saturday, that the gun wielding abductors, numbering 18, invaded the farmstead and whisked away the successful farmer.

He said the kidnappers shot sporadically into the air, as they whisked away the farmer to an unknown destination.

He said the gunshots had caused panic, as residents, who had not slept when they came, fled into the bush, while those sleeping quickly awoke and took cover outside their residences.

“The manner at which they operated showed that they had a target, who was Alhaji Olodan. The kidnappers upon entering the village went straight to the farmers residence and forced him out. He was actually the target.

“This is not the first time Iyemero would be attacked by these evil men and we are suspecting that they are working in connivance with the Fulani herders operating in our farms.

“The herders have been the ones terrorising Elegure and Atu farmsteads in recent times, destroying farmlands and kidnapping our people”, he alleged.

Ogungbemi appealed to the State Police Command and the Amotekun corps to expedite actions and free the victim from his captors.

The Police Public Relations Officer, Ekiti State Command, Sunday Abutu, who confirmed the incident, said police operatives had been drafted to the area to ensure the safe return of the farmer.

The police spokesman said the command received a formal report from the Divisional Police station in the area, establishing the fact that the farmer was indeed abducted.

“Yes, it was this afternoon that someone came to make a formal report at our Divisional Police Station at Ikole Ekiti.

“The report we got showed that only one person was kidnapped and that the incident happened on Friday night.

“We have detailed our men in the town and they are taking measures to ensure that the victim is freed,” he said.

The Corps Commander, Ekiti State Amotekun Corps, Brig. Gen. Joe Komolafe, said, “Operatives of Amotekun are working in collaboration with the police to get to the root, ensure the man is freed and as well arrest of the suspects”.