Suspected herdsmen have killed two persons during an attack on men of the Ondo state security outfit code-named Amotekun at the government forest reserve located at Ago Sanusi along Ute Road in Owo.
There were reports that the herdsmen laid an ambush for the security personnel who, acting on security intelligence, stormed the forest reserve to fish out suspected criminal elements who reportedly abducted a farmer identified as Lanre.
Lanre’s corpse was later reportedly found in the forest reserve by the security personnel with both hands chopped off.
It was gathered that another member of the Vigilance Group of Nigeria who joined the Amotekun in the operation was shot in the head by the herdsmen.
The attack, according to findings, happened about 2:00 am.
The herdsmen were armed with AK47, dressed like militia men with live ammunition wrapped around their shoulders.
▪︎Head of Amotekun in Owo still missing
There were further reports that the head of Operations of Amotekun in Owo, Oluwasesan Adebayo, who led the operation has not been found since the attack.
Adebayo’s younger brother, Pastor Idowu Adebayo, said the family had been in great pain since his abduction.
He appealed to the state government and all security outfits in the state to intervene.
Adebayo said indications had shown that Fulani herdsmen had a secret agenda to take over the state and the entire Southwest.
“it is now clear that every part of the state has been invaded by the herdsmen thereby putting indigenes and other residents in great danger,” a Vanguard report quoted him to have said.
▪︎Farmers abandon their farms
A farmer at Sanusi camp, Abu Sikiru was reported to have said he and other farmers at the camp had abandoned their farms for fear of being killed.
Abu said that the camp and all other camps in the area had been deserted.
Recall that Amotekun arrested 15 illegal miners allegedly involved in illegal mining in Owo community.
▪︎We’ll apprehend the killers- Amotekun commander
Amotekun commander in the state, Chief Adetunji Adeleye confirmed the killings of the two persons by the herdsmen.
The corps’ image-maker Adebayo Ayeni in a statement, quoted the commander to have said “Men of Ondo State Security Network Agency, (AMOTEKUN CORPS) have again made another breakthrough in their strive to get rid of criminal elements in Ondo State.
”This cartel was piling up arms and ammunition to invade the entire State while masquerading as herders and using the forest as kidnappers’ den for negotiation and ransom, illegal mining activities and cultivation of Indian hemp.
”The Security outfit in conjunction with the Police, the Army and other security agencies in the State, however, smoked them out of the forest, after it was discovered that the bandits had killed a farmer and a member of the vigilante group in the Area.
”They also went to the village where an Amotekun vehicle was parked and set it ablaze.
“We sympathize with the families of the victims of this dastardly act while assuring them that the culprits will surely be apprehended.”
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