Disturbed by the incident, the monarch described the attackers as “blood guzzlers and enemies of state, nature and sound reasoning” who must not be allowed to go unpunished.
This was contained in a statement made available to journalists in Oyo by the media aide to Oba Owoade, Bode Durojaiye.
Oba Owoade, who noted that Yorubas and Fulanis had lived harmoniously for decades without hostility, expressed concern over the recurring violence linked to herders. He disclosed that he had already reached out to the Kwara State Governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRasaq, on the matter and on possible measures to forestall further attacks.
In his response, Governor AbdulRasaq lauded the Alaafin’s intervention and described him as a visionary leader and “Titan of Yorubaland.” The governor further assured the monarch that a battalion of soldiers had been deployed to the troubled area to restore order.
The Alaafin, while commending security agencies for their commitment, urged the Federal Government to ensure that those responsible for the killings are identified and prosecuted to serve as deterrence.
“Government, political leaders and followers must have the courage and honesty to get to the root causes of our insecurity, now worsened by criminality, insurgency and terrorism by herdsmen,” Oba Owoade said. “Security should not be taken for granted. Immediate and conscious efforts must be made to design and build a robust system capable of creating a stable and peaceful environment for national development.”
Recalling the historical tolerance and coexistence between the Yoruba and Fulani communities, the Alaafin stressed that his forebears had made land available for cattle ranching in Oyo Empire, even providing additional acres for Fulani herdsmen free of charge, to foster unity.
He added that disputes between farmers and herders were traditionally resolved through dialogue, consensus-building and peace mechanisms entrenched in Yoruba culture.
He, however, warned against actions that threaten peace and stability, assuring residents of his continued commitment to the protection of lives and property across the region.
