Herdsmen: I will not allow ethnic war to be ignited under my watch – Makinde

Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde has vowed to ensure that ethnic wars don’t under his watch.

The governor’s chief press secretary, Taiwo Adisa, disclosed this in a statement issued on Monday after Makinde held a meeting with leaders in Ibarapa local government area of the state which has been the centre of reported kidnapping, killings, and clashes between herders and indigenous farmers.

This led to Yoruba activist youth, Sunday Igboho, issuing a seven-day eviction notice to herders in the area, blaming them for the insecurity.

During the meeting on Monday, Makinde expressed that he felt the pain of the people who have lost dear ones, adding that the government is taking steps to address the situation.

“I decided to spend the night in Ibarapaland, so as to let you know that if my people in this place cannot sleep with two eyes closed, I cannot also sleep with my two eyes closed in Ibadan. We are turning the heat on the criminal elements and we will surely get them,” Makinde was quoted to have said.

“What happened in Rwanda will not be our portion. If anyone wants to ignite war in Nigeria, it won’t be from here and won’t be under my own watch. We will find a solution to the challenges facing us because we know there are challenges.”

He also promised that his government will compensate victims of criminal activities.

He added that measures taken to address the situation include setting up an all-inclusive peace and security committee at the local government levels, and stepping up intelligence gathering in the area.

Makinde said he was misunderstood for the position he took during the crisis, noting that he is not afraid to speak out.