A member of the House of Representatives, Mrs. Tolulope Akande-Sadipe, has raised the alarm over an invasion of her constituency by armed herdsmen.
In a statement on Saturday through her media aide, Olamilekan Olusada, Akande-Sadipe said the herdsmen had invaded Ogunmakin, Gambari Reserve, and surrounding communities in Oluyole Federal Constituency, destroying farmlands and intimidating local farmers with guns and cutlasses.
“The situation has jeopardized the means of livelihood of farmers, deepening the economic crisis and threatening food security in the South-West region,” she warned.
Akande-Sadipe, who chairs the House Committee on Humanitarian Services, accused the herdsmen of a deliberate attempt to destroy farms and displace farmers. She criticized security agencies for failing to act despite multiple reports, which she said had emboldened the attackers.
She called on the Federal Government and security agencies to intervene urgently, urging for an investigation, arrest, and prosecution of the perpetrators.
The lawmaker also requested immediate relief for affected farmers through the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development to mitigate the losses.
“We need an immediate on-the-spot assessment and engagement with stakeholders to develop a sustainable solution,” she added.
