Olu Falae faces new threat from Fulani cattle herders after renewed attack on his farm

FORMER finance minister Chief Olu Falae's recent altercations with Fulani cattle herders that led to his abduction by gunmen looks set to escalate further after a new set of herdsmen invaded his farm yesterday destroying crops.

 

Late last month, Chief Falae, 77, was abducted from his farm near the Ondo State capital Akure, by armed hoodlums said to be Fulani herdsmen. His kidnappers, who threatened to kill him every 30 minutes unless they were paid a ransom, eventually released Chief Falae after receiving N5m (£17,000) from his family.

 

Over recent years, Chief Falae has been involved in a series of disputes with Fulani cattle herders who bring their livestock to his farm to graze. It is believed that his kidnapping might have something to do with the ongoing disagreements he is having with the herdsmen and as a result, pan-Yoruba cultural association Afenifere, has called on the government to ban cattle herding across southwest Nigeria.

 

Just as the row appeared to be reaching a resolution, it has blown over again after a herd of cattle again destroyed a large portion of his farm at Ilado village in Akure North Local Government Area of Ondo State. Chief Falae's farm manager, Bruno Akhigbodemen, said over one kilometre of maize was destroyed during the invasion last Sunday.

 

He added that workers on the farm were threatened when they attempted to repel the invaders, although the latest destruction has been reported to the state police command. Detectives from the Special Anti Robbery Squad of the command were immediately deployed to the farm following the complaints.

 

They reportedly began combing neighbouring villages for the suspects but were unable to make any arrest. However, the police have invited for questioning leaders of the herdsmen in the state who stood surety for those that were arrested and released during the last invasion when over N500,000 (£1,634) worth of farm produce were destroyed.

Mr Akhigbodemen described the destruction of the farm last Sunday as devastating and appealed to the government and the security operatives to act decisively over the menace of the herdsmen. Kayode Akinmade, the Ondo State information commissioner said it was unfortunate that the destruction of Chief Falae's farm was happening barely two weeks after his  abduction and release.

 

Mr Akinmade said: “It is despicable and unacceptable. We condemned it in its entirety and we believe that the security agencies should take action appropriately.

 

“The first thing they did was to kidnap him on the farm and now they are also coming again to destroy the farm. They want to desecrate the land, which is not acceptable.”

He called on the security agencies to take action to ensure the safety of lives and property of the people in the state. Fulani cattle herders associations have denied that the abduction was carried out by their members, saying it was the handiwork of common criminals.