Ekiti State Governor, Mr Ayodele Fayose, has raised security teams to defend the people against herdsmen attacks.
The security teams, which will work in conjunction with local hunters, are to respond to attacks upon receiving distress calls.
The governor raised the alarm that some persons identified as Bororo herdsmen had started making surreptitious moves into Ekiti with plans to kill and maim people in order to rubbish his anti-grazing law.
He also raised the alarm that Economic and Financial Crimes Commission had hatched plans to invade the state and arrest government officials in his administration.
Fayose spoke at a meeting with local hunters from the 16 local government areas of the state and Benue indigenes residing in the state.
The governor, clad in a military uniform, called for a minute silence for those killed in Benue.
He urged President Muhammadu Buhari to urgently declare the rampaging herdsmen as terrorists following the recent massacre in Benue and other parts of the country.
Fayose said, “I sympathise with our brothers, sisters and people from Benue State that are mourning the brutality of those who killed their kinsmen.
“I’m not going to Abuja to start crying like a woman. I will take steps to protect my people. There is nobody that is greater than the laws of the land. We must stop the killers; they must not enter our land. My people arise and defend our land. It is those who want to take our land that will die for us.”
The governor criticised the attitude of the Federal Government to activities of the killer herdsmen. He also wondered why Mr Buhari sent the police to Benue to secure the place instead of soldiers.
He added, “It is the duty of the Federal Government to protect its people. We are not protected. We have never had it so bad. People must come to leadership with conscience. The Federal Government should have sent the army not the police.
“How did we get to this stage? The Federal Government has failed us in this regard. How can you send the police? Why not soldiers? All these propaganda can’t save lives.
“Governor Samuel Ortom should fasten his belt and protect his people. Those seeking for help in Abuja would not find because Abuja also needs help. I sympathise with you, this is your home and nobody will kill you. You are all safe here.”
He said he had received letters that the Bororos had entered Ekiti to violate grazing laws.
“We will not allow that to happen. I want you all the hunters to go back today to protect your people, be vigilant, open your eyes, make sure everyone entering our state is screened. No one in the guise of grazing should enter our land after 8pm.
“For our brothers who harbour criminals, tell them Ekiti is a no-go area. If your plan is to make this state ungovernable, you are wasting your time. I have called this meeting for everyone to be vigilant. I will begin to support you now to secure Ekiti.
“Don’t let them take you by surprise. Don’t allow them to take Ekiti by storm. Go to the farms and keep vigil. Don’t just entertain visitors that come in the night, screen them. We don’t want visitors in our games at 8pm.”
The governor, however, cautioned the hunters to be civil and to obey the law of the land. He also appealed to the Benue indigenes to pray for their state and their governor.
“I will do whatever is necessary within the ambit of the law to defend you. I have set up four teams that within few minutes they will be there,” he said.
Punch
