The Olu of Ilawo, Oba Prof. Olusegun MacGregor, has convened representatives of the 157 villages in Ilawo, Fulani leaders and security agencies in a fresh bid to end the lingering tension between farmers, residents and herders in the area.
The stakeholders’ meeting, held on Wednesday at Orile Ilawo, brought together traditional leaders, community representatives, farmers, Fulani leaders and senior security officials, with the objective of finding a lasting solution to recurring disagreements and preventing further clashes.
Among those who attended were the Senior Special Adviser to the Ogun State Governor on Security, AIG Olusola Subair (rtd); Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Inter-Ethnic Affairs, Hadi Sani; Assistant Commissioner of Police, Adaramola Felix; Mr S.O. Ogunleye of the Department of State Services; and the Ogun State Chairman of Miyetti Allah, Alhaji Abubakar Ibrahim Dende.
The meeting followed growing concerns among residents and farmers over alleged destruction of farmlands and water sources by cattle, alongside other allegations of misconduct involving some herders.
Declaring the meeting open, Oba MacGregor said the primary purpose of the gathering was to seek a permanent resolution to the dispute and restore peaceful relations among the affected communities.
He called for dialogue, mutual understanding and cooperation among farmers, residents and herders, stressing that peace and security were essential to the development of the 157 villages.
Speaking on behalf of residents, Olakunle Akindele of Abule Ola alleged that cattle frequently stray into farmlands, destroying crops and inflicting economic losses on farmers whose livelihoods depend largely on agriculture.
Akindele also expressed concern over the alleged destruction and contamination of community water sources, describing the situation as a major trigger of tension between farmers and herders.
Similarly, Oluranti Oloyede of Abule Omi Ayo, Ikija, described the situation as a persistent challenge confronting residents and farmers across the villages.
Oloyede alleged that the activities of some herders had placed an increasing burden on residents and called for urgent intervention to prevent the disagreement from degenerating into violence.
Another community representative, Ogunwemi Olanrewaju of Ntoji Village, corroborated the concerns raised by other speakers.
Ogunwemi said residents were increasingly frustrated by what he described as repeated alleged misconduct by some herders.
He, however, stressed that the communities had refrained from killing cattle despite their grievances.
He urged the authorities to take the complaints seriously and address the root causes of the crisis before the situation escalates.
Responding to the concerns, AIG Subair appealed to residents to remain calm and patient, assuring them that the Ogun State Government was committed to addressing the challenges.
He said the government would continue to engage all relevant stakeholders towards resolving the issues responsible for recurring tensions between farmers and herders.
Also speaking, ACP Adaramola Felix warned residents against taking the law into their own hands.
He urged aggrieved parties to report complaints to the appropriate security and government authorities rather than resorting to violence or reprisals.
On his part, the Ogun State Chairman of Miyetti Allah, Alhaji Abubakar Ibrahim Dende, appealed for peace and urged farmers and herders to embrace dialogue.
Dende stressed the need for mutual understanding and peaceful coexistence, noting that confrontation would only worsen relations and create further insecurity within the communities.
At the end of the meeting, stakeholders agreed to reconvene with all relevant parties under the coordination of the Senior Special Adviser to the Governor on Security for further dialogue and closer cooperation.
The stakeholders also expressed commitment to strengthening communication among the communities, traditional institutions, herders and security agencies as part of efforts to prevent further clashes.
The meeting ended with renewed calls for restraint, mutual respect and peaceful coexistence, with stakeholders expressing optimism that sustained engagement would resolve the crisis and guarantee the safety and livelihoods of farmers, residents and herders across the 157 villages of Ilawo.
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