There is tension in Kwara South senatorial district over alleged displacement and takeover of farmlands by suspected herders.
The invasion of farmlands was said to be have been perpetrated by herdsmen dislodged about two years ago, from Igangan area of Oyo state.
The displaced herdsmen had found sanctuary in Kwara State.
Coordinator, Oodua Peooles Congress (OPC), New Era in Kwara Bayo Fabiyi raised the alarm the unsavory situation portends a time-bomb in the district.
The OPC chief told our correspondent that his organisation warned the government of the danger inherent in accommodating the displaced Igangan herdsmen from Igangan.
Fabiyi alleged the alien herders chase and graze on the indigenous farmers lands.
He added that these farmlands taken over are cultivated by the herdsmen, saying that the proceeds are thereafter sold to the impoverished indigenous farmers.
According to him: “It is very sad and provocative that herdsmen come from different parts of the world to chase away indigenous farmer by allowing their cattle to graze on farms and after farmers got chased away and frustrated, these herdsmen take over their lands and farm on it.
“How come that cattle don’t graze on farms cultivated by these herders and they make profit as their harvest are sold in our markets to our people, thereby reaping the economy of our geographical zone to their own pockets.”
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Ifabiyi accused traditional rulers in the areas of complicity and helplessness.
“Our Obas are afraid of the Emir of Ilorin. They look away from happenings and aside from that, the herders go to settle them heavily, so it is a situation that can lead to a revolt in near future.”
He called on the Governor AbdulRazaq AbdulRahman to immediately set up a high powered committee to look into the issue of invasion of Kwara lands by these herders before matters escalate into a crisis proportion.
He also urged all stakeholders in the State to wade in to issues raised to ward off possible violent farmer/herders clash. He appealed to incoming President Asiwaju Ahmed Bola Tinubu to come to the aid of the state government.
The OPC boss added that “Kwara south people and the rest of Kwara are already being agitated over the issue and civil unrest must be avoided at all cost.”