Abiodun Nejo, Ado Ekiti

The traditional ruler of the Iyemero Ekiti community, in the Ikole Local Government Area of Ekiti State, Oba Ebenezar Ogungbemi, has praised the state government for ordering military patrols across the Ekiti-Kwara border area to tame killer bandits terrorising the town.

Ogungbemi said the step would ensure lasting peace and protection of lives and property in the town, which had been under the siege of some gunmen suspected to be Fulani herdsmen.

The traditional ruler and members of the Olu-in Council, in a letter to the Ekiti State Governor, Kayode Fayemi dated April 20, 2019, said the combined forces of military and local hunters would curtail the activities of the suspected killer herders and restore peace to the community.

"With the support and assurances of Mr Governor, we are convinced that lasting peace is in sight and we are protected from the yet-to-be-identified assailants and terrorists. We are happy to inform you that displaced farmers have returned to their farmsteads.

"This military deployment won't stop us from being security conscious. We are not unaware that the military can only discharge their duties effectively when they are provided with information that they can work upon," the letter read.

According to them, the local hunters have started receiving instructions on the need to refrain from any action that could portray them as being vindictive against any ethnic group.

Gunmen suspected to be herders had on Monday attacked Eda in the community, leaving two persons dead, three injured and many farmers displaced.

The state governor had ordered immediate construction of a police post in the border town.

PUNCH