Herdsmen attack ex-SGF Falae’s farm again, set it ablaze

The farm of a former Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) and onetime presidential candidate, Chief Olu Falae, was allegedly set ablaze by people suspected to be Fulani herdsmen on Sunday.

It was learnt that the five-hectare oil palm, yam and cassava plantation of one of the leaders of the Afenifere located at Ilado village, in Akure North Local Government Area of Ondo State, was set ablaze about 6pm on Sunday by suspected herdsmen.

The police officers attached to the farm were said to have brokered the news to the elder statesman on noticing that the farm had been set ablaze by suspected Fulani herdsmen, who usually rear their cattle in the area.

Recall that herdsmen had also in September 2015 kidnapped Falae and kept him in their custody only to release him three days after following the intervention of President Muhammadu Buhari who directed the then Inspector-General of Police, Mr. Solomon Arase (retd.), to ensure the elder statesman is freed unhurt by his abductors.

READ ALSO: Furious Fayose scolds Fulani head in Ekiti, levies herdsmen N5000 registration fee

Lamenting his ordeal, Falae said that “The Fulani herdsmen have again burnt my farm. They do that every year. As I speak to you, the Akure Police Area commander, my Personal Assistant and farm manager have visited the place.

“The state governor, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu has called me to confirm the incident and has also promised to visit the farm tomorrow.”

Reacting, Mr Yinka Odumakin, Afenifere’s National Publicity Secretary, said: “It is continuation of the declaration of war by armed Fulani herdsmen, who have been terrorising communities and are now burning farmlands. Now, they have gone to Falae’s farm. These people have made up their mind to go to war or have their way and the authority has refused to call them to order.

“The latest on Falae’s farm is clearly unacceptable, an aggression by the Fulani and they should be rest assured that the Yoruba nation will not take it likely. If they think that with all these they are doing, they will have one inch of land for cattle colony in any part of Yoruba land, they should forget it.”

On his part, former Aviation Minister, Chief Femi Fani-Kayode said: “ Baba Falae is one of the most respected and revered leaders of Afenifere and the Yoruba nation. Only two years ago the same Fulani terrorists kidnapped him and almost killed him. I ask Buhari and Miyetti Allah, does he deserve this? Is this fair?

“How many more people have to die and how many more farms have to be destroyed before you will call these barbarians to order and bring them to book?”

 

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