Tension mounts in Ekiti as suspected Fulani herdsmen kill hunter

Tension mounts in Ekiti as suspected Fulani herdsmen kill hunter

There is a serious building up among the people of Orin-Ekiti in Ido/Osi Local Government Area of Ekiti State after a suspected Fulani herdsman killed a hunter on Saturday.

The deceased identified as Emmanuel Ilori was reportedly killed while hunting for animals with some of his colleagues at midnight.

This happened a few hours after Maria, a female undergraduate was killed in her father’s farm in Ise-Ekiti by unknown gunmen.

A hunter who escaped the scene, Adeniyi Ajayi, said his colleague was killed by Fulani herdsmen.

Ajayi said: “We met the herdsmen numbering about thirty in the abandoned piggery farm in the town.

“And we attempted to inquire about what they were doing on the farm. Suddenly, they brought out rifles shooting at our direction. Thus, resulting in the death of Mr Ilori”.

According to the hunter, the herdsmen were using the forest as a hideout to carry out their kidnapping business.

Residents of the area have reportedly blocked major, in protest of the gruesome killing of one of their own. Whereas the corpse of the deceased has been taken away by security personnel for further investigation.

It was gathered that the corpse of the hunter has been taken away by security officers for further investigation.

High chief Francis Falua and Chairman of Rice Farmers in Ekiti State, Kolawole Rotimi while addressing journalists during the protest decried the excesses of the Fulani herdsmen in the community.

He recounted how the ‘evil genius’ herdsmen allegedly killed a pregnant woman and her unborn baby, only a few months ago.

They, therefore, called on the Governor, Kayode Fayemi to bring an end to the menace before it becomes uncontrollable.

The Ekiti Police Command Spokesman, DSP Caleb Ikechukwu confirmed the incident, saying tight security has been out in place to rid the forest of the kidnappers.