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| Herdsmen |
Some residents of Imeko, Iwoye and Jabata said the invasion of the herdsmen has been a major source of concern to them, alleging that the herdsmen allowed their animals to destroy people’s farms while grazing in the areas.
According to The Punch, one of the residents of Iwoye, Adeyemi Olaosebikan said that inhabitants of Jabata village in the Imeko Afon Local Government Area of Ogun State had deserted their community following the killing of some indigenes during an attack.
He said residents fled the community in May after four persons were killed in the community, adding that residents of other border communities were now living in fear.
Olaosebikan stated, “Herdsmen from many countries in West Africa have taken over the Opara Forest Reserve in Oyo State and Imeko Forest Reserve in Ogun State. Their presence there is causing fear among the people.
“In fact , resident have deserted Jabata Village which is in Imeko Afon. Imeko Forest Reserve should be twice the size of Ibadan. It is 378 square miles. The Opara Forest Reserve is almost three times bigger than Imeko Reserve.
“Government is watching herdsmen from Bukina Faso, Mali and other countries taking over an area that is that large . The forest reserves belong to the Federal Government but state forest guards are the ones taking care of them. However, it is obvious that the forest guards are not doing anything there. So, this invasion is a time bomb.”