Breaking: Herdsmen Invade Council Secretariat In Ondo, Threaten Workers

The herdsmen numbering over 30 reportedly stormed the council
secretariat in the afternoon and vandalized some valuables belonging
to the staff of the Local Government.

It was gathered that the herdsmen brandished various weapons including cutlasses, knives, charms and axes among others.

The invasion of the herders disrupted the official activities at the council secretariat along Ilesa road, Akure including marriage
ceremonies going on at the council’s registry.

Some staffers of the council were drove out of their offices one by
one by the herders who allegedly threatened to kill anyone who looked
into their eyes.

Sources said trouble started when a worker in the council warned a
herder to take his cattle away from the council’s Agric department
vegetable farm,
located behind the secretariat.

The herder, a boy of about eight years, reportedly ignored the warning
and allowed the cows to feed on the vegetable planted.

The local government worker allegedly moved to the boy and when
attempting to make him direct the cows off the farm, the boy fell
down.

It was gathered that another older herder, suspected to be the father
of the boy, who was coming behind and saw what transpired pulled out a
sword
and engaged the local government worker.

It was learnt that the council worker, who also had a cutlass in his
hand, engaged the herder.

While both men were exchanging throw of cutlass and sword, the herder
was injured.

The injured Fulani herdsman was said to have mobilized over 30 of his
colleagues who stormed the Local Government Secretariat and sacked
workers from office.

The herdsmen also went to the secretariat’s registry and sent away
couples who were holding marriage ceremonies.

Caretaker Chairman of Akure South Local Government, Mrs Margaret
Atere, described the situation as fearful and called for prompt
security action.

It was gathered that workers in the council had fled their respective
offices and vowed not to return until their security can be
guaranteed.

The state Commissioner of Police, Mr Gbenga Adeyanju who led men of
his command to the secretariat to assess the situation, said nomalcy
has returned to the secretariat.