THE people of Iyara in Ijumu Local Government Area of Kogi State recently took to the streets to protest the alleged invasion of the community by Fulani herdsmen.
The protest by the youths was a rider to the alleged incursion into the community by some Fulani Herdsmen displaced by Ajowa Community, in neighbouring Ondo State
An eyewitness account said the protesters were demanding the immediate relocation of the herdsmen from their community given the frosty relationship existing between farmers and herders.
According to him, “the herders arrived few days back at Zango, along Iyara-Kabba road in two loads of trailers.”
“thereafter some Community leaders visited the Zango market and saw the herdsmen in their large numbers with their luggage”.
“We also discovered that the Head of Fulani in the Market allegedly collected money from them (Fulani Herdsmen) with a promise to accommodate them.” He added
This, they said, informed the peaceful protest to express displeasure over the influx of Herdsmen whom they alleged have taken over farmlands and caused insecurity in the area.
The protesters were seen displaying placards with inscriptions such as, “Iyara Community rejects the Influx of Herdsmen”, “Enough is Enough, we want to farm, “No to Fulani Herdsmen Invasion” among others.
They called for urgent attention to avoid acts capable of truncating the existing peace in the community and environs.
