Local security outfit, Amotekun, has accused suspected herdsmen of killing two persons and setting its vehicle ablaze. It also said that one of its leaders had been missing following an ambush attack by Fulani herdsmen.
The criminals were said to have carried out the ambush against the security men at the Ondo State government forest reserve at Ago Sanusi, along Ute Road in Owo area of the state.
It was learnt that Amotekun members and some vigilante members had stormed the forest upon an intelligent report that some criminal herders kidnapped a farmer named Lanre.
Lanre’s corpse was reportedly found in the forest reserve by the security personnel with both hands chopped off.
During the mission into the forest, the killer herdsmen were said to have laid an ambush against the security men and shot a vigilante group member, who joined Amotekun in the operation on the head.
The security men. It was gathered were attacked around 2:am by the herdsmen, who dressed like militia and armed with several AK47 loaded with ammunition.
The head of operations of Amotekun in Owo, Oluwasesan Adebayo, who led the operation, reportedly went missing during the ambush.
Adebayo’s younger brother, Idowu told newsmen it was glaring the herdsmen were planning to take over the 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,” he added.
A farmer at Sanusi camp, Abu Sikiru, said that several farmers had deserted their farms over the fear of being killed by the herdsmen.
The Commander of Amotekun security outfit in Ondo State, Chief Adetunji Adeleye, confirmed the killings by the herdsmen.
The outfit commander said in a statement by Amotekun spokesman, Adebayo Ayeni, in response to the development, “This cartel (killer herdsmen) were 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 outfits 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.”