Police Station Allegedly Destroyed, As Angry Youths Attack Fulani Herdsmen in Kwara

By Izunna Okafor

It was a destructive moment at Odo-Owa community of Oke-Ero Local Government Area in Kwara State, as a group of angry youths protested against the presence of Fulani herdsmen in their community.

According to reports, the youths accused the Fulani herdsmen of being involved in kidnappings in the community, and consequently wanted them out of their community.

However, in the process of protesting against the Fulani herdsmen's presence, they allegedly destroyed houses belonging to them, given the fracas that accompanied the protest, which occurred on Thursday.

It would be recalled that the youths of the community had earlier given the herdsmen ultimatum to vacate their community, which expired on Thursday, and which they (the youths) wanted to enforce on Thursday, following the expiration of the ultimatum and the continuous presence of the herdsmen in their land.

Reports also have it that police operatives of Odo Owa police station who attempted to stop the unlawful action of the angry youths were attacked and their station destroyed by the said youths.

Howbeit, the spokesman of the Kwara State Police Command, Mr Okasanmi Ajayi denied the attack, in his response to the development via text message.

He said "The Odo-Owa police station was not attacked by the youths as alleged.

“The youths became agitated as a result of some suspects arrested in connection with a case under investigation,” he added.

According to him, “The youths dispersed immediately they were made to understand the rationale behind the arrest of those suspects.”

It was be recalled that this is the second time fracas has sparked off in Odo-Owa community in less than two months, over issues concerning Fulani herdsmen, their presence and their alleged activities in the community.

The first incident happened when the house and hotel of Ramon, an alleged Fulani kidnap kingpin, were destroyed following allegations of criminality against him by the Odo-Owa community.

It was reported that the youths accused the Fulani herdsmen of being involved in kidnappings in the community.