Ekiti State
Governor Ayo Fayose yesterday rallied local hunters against possible invasion
by suspected Fulani herdsmen.
Sounding the
battle cry while hosting some hunters at the Government House pavilion in
Ado-Ekiti, the state capital, the governor said intelligence report available
to him revealed that “Bororo” herdsmen had surreptitiously entered the state.
Fayose, who
wore a camouflage shirt, a pair of trousers and a fez cap to match “to reflect
the mood of the nation”, urged the hunters to go back home and defend the
people.
Apart from
the local hunters, other residents who showed up at the forum were the revered
farmers, popularly called the Agbekoya, vigilance groups and other residents
from the Tiv, Idoma and Igede ethnic groups in Benue State.
The event
was highlighted by an intermittent firing of gunshots, whistling, and songs by
the hunters.
Fayose, who
sympathized with the people of Benue State, where scores have been killed by
suspected herdsmen, promised not to allow his people to be slain, as done in
the Northcentral state.
The governor
claimed that the alleged plan to invade Ekiti was to make the state
ungovernable for him ahead of the July 14 governorship election.
He said the
situation in Benue and Taraba states showed that “President Buhari lacks the
capacity to protect Nigerians”.
Fayose said:
“I have received letters that the Bororos have entered our reserves; they want
to violate our laws. I want to call the attention of the Federal Government
that they have come and wanted to kill men, women, and kids in Ekiti. We will
not allow that to happen here in Ekiti."
“I want you
all, our hunters, to go back today to protect your people. Be vigilant, open
your eyes and make sure that everybody entering the state are screened."
“No one in
the guise of grazing should enter our land after 8 p.m. For our brothers who
harbor criminals, tell them Ekiti is a no-go area. If your plan is to make this
state ungovernable, you are wasting your time."
“I have
called this meeting for everyone to be vigilant. I will begin to support you
now to secure Ekiti. Don’t let them take you by surprise; don’t allow them to
take Ekiti by storm."
“Go to the
farms and keep vigil; don’t just entertain visitors who come in the night.
Screen them. We don’t want visitors in our reserves at 8 p.m.”
He added:
“This (camouflage) dressing is done to charge our hunters to secure the state.
I saw pictures of the killings (in Benue) and I wonder if those were human
beings. I asked the question if people could be that wicked to kill human
beings that way. They will find no peace. It is no tribal killings, but that of
mindless people."
“The blood
of the departed will find those people and they won’t know peace. It is the
duty of the federal government to protect its people. We are not
protected."
“We have
never had it so bad. People must come to leadership with a conscience. The
federal government should have sent the Army and not the police.
“Governor
(Samuel) Ortom should fasten his belt and protect his people. Those seeking
help in Abuja would not find it because Abuja also needs help. I sympathize
with you (Benue) people; nobody will kill you. You are all safe here.”
Fayose gave
out telephone hotlines through which people who notice strange movements can
call for urgent attention.
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