BORORO -FULANI CLASH IN KWARA

At least two persons were killed and property worth millions of naira destroyed when Bororo-Fulani traders clashed with Yoruba natives of Oro-Ago in Ifelo­dun Local Government Area of Kwara State, Sun news reports.

Fulani herdsmen in Kwara

Investigations which were conducted in the area revealed that the problem might have started when Fulani-Bororo settlers disobeyed an already laid-down rule that the settlers should not bring arms and ammunition or fighting sticks from their settlements on Oro Ago market days.

The Fulani traders entered the market with arms on Monday but the vigilance team and hunters collected their weapons and kept them in Oro Ago town.

The seized weapons were allegedly later carted away by the leader of the Fulani community in the area, popularly called Serikin Fulani, and handed back to his people to the surprise of the local vigilance team.

In the aftermath of that, there was a breakdown of law and order as the two groups clashed when the vigilantes tried to retrieve the weapons. This resulted in four people sustaining varying degrees of injuries.

One of the youths of the area, Sogo Babarinde, who repaired phones in the market, was reportedly killed by the Fulani.

Another version of the report according to the Sun claimed that youths in the area also killed one of the Fulani people, before they were chased away from the community.

At least about 10 motorcycles and five vehicles belonging to some members of the Fulani community were re­portedly burnt by irate youths.

Meanwhile, security operatives including military and policemen, as well as the local vigilance team have been keeping vigil in the area to restore normalcy and prevent a reprisal attack, as people in the area were living in pal­pable fear.

Ajayi Okasanmi, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) has already said that only two persons were killed and not seven as being speculated, adding that men and officers of the command had been able to restore normalcy in the area after the clash.

He also said the local government authorities had constituted a committee, comprising the natives and the Fulani residents to resolve the matter, and prevent a reoccurrence.

This is the second report of clashes between Fulani and Yorubas in Kwara in the past two weeks.The earlier attacks occured Eruku community of Kwara State. The clash claimed the lives of at least seven people.

After the earlier clash, royal fathers had to call a meeting with Fulani leaders and the police in Kwara state so as to avoid further occurrences.