Oyo State Commissioner of Police Samuel Adegbuyi has directed the Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department to investigate the alleged loss of 500 cows by Fulani herdsmen in Ibarapa.
This followed a petition by a Fulani socio-cultural group in the Southwest, Jamu Nati Fulbe Association of Nigeria.
The petition was signed by the group’s National Chairman, Alhaji Saliu Kadir and Oyo State Chairman, Mallam Abubakar Banni, and addressed to Governor Abiola Ajimobi.
Police spokesman Adekunle Ajisebutu said anyone found culpable would be charged to court.
Ajisebutu stated that Adegbuyi, however, convened a peace meeting between herdsmen and farmers at the state police headquarters, Eleyele, Ibadan.
The three-hour meeting was presided over by Adegbuyi. The herdsmen were led to the meeting by Soliu Kadir. The farmers were led by the Baale Agbe of Ibarapa, Chief G.A. Akorede.
Kadir accused the farmers of poisoning the water reservoir from which their cows usually drink water.
Akorede told the police the herdsmen grazed their cattle on their farmland and destroyed farm produce.
The meeting set up a monitoring committee, which was given two weeks to submit its report to the Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP), in charge of Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department.
The governor’s Special Adviser on Communication and Strategy, Yomi Layinka, said the governor would look into the petition and direct security agencies to maintain peace in the state.