By Kunle Akinrinade
Lagos State Government has described the alleged herdsmen attack on Odo Egiri community in Eredo area of Epe Local Government as untrue.
It was reported by a section of the media in May this year that herdsmen invaded farmland in the community forcing farmers and residents to flee from the community.
The reports followed a petition to the state government and police authorities by one Ali Moibi-Balogun family, which sought the intervention of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu to reclaim the farmland from the herdsmen.
The state government through the Ministry of Agriculture said it carried out a diligent investigation of the matter and discovered that the false report was as a result of a tussle between two families over landed property.
The findings of the state government were contained in a letter, dated July 19, 2021, entitled ‘’Re: Invasion of Iganke Farmland, Odo-Egiri, Epe , Lagos by Fulani herdsmen aided by some land speculators and cultists,’’ and addressed to a law firm, and counsel to the community, Justice and Peace Attorney.
The letter signed by the Director, Legal Unit, Mrs. Bukola Akanni on behalf of the Ministry’s Permanent Secretary, read in part: ‘’After critical review of the facts of the case, the office(ministry) is of the view that the crux of the allegation and counter allegation is rooted in land issues between the two parties.
‘’It has also been established based on the investigation from the office that the issue of Fulani herdsmen settlement in Odo-Egiri community of Eredo Local Council Development Area in Epe Local Government is a mirage and the possibility of it leading to the crisis has been erased.
‘’ It should therefore be noted that the issue of security or any likely crisis that might threaten the love, peace, and unity of the people(of the community) or lead to loss of lives and property is the main concern of the government which has been nullified by the report.’’
Meanwhile, the leadership of the community has urged the police authorities to prosecute the brains behind the report to serve as a deterrent to others.
In a petition forwarded to the Lagos Police Command by their counsel, Babatunde Jinadu, the community leaders demanded the outcome of the police investigation and subsequent prosecution of persons behind the reports.
The letter dated August 6, 2021, read in part: ‘’ …we hereby demand for the outcome of the investigation by the police and that if the allegation is unfounded and frivolous, then the petitioning family, Ali Moibi family, should be charged to court for raising false allegations under the pretence of herdsmen invasion and shootings which has caused panic in the community and turned some members of the community against the accredited chiefs and elders of Odo-Egiri community.’’
Leave a Reply