The Aseyin of Iseyinland, HRM Oba Sefiu Olawale Ajirotutu I, has called on Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, to call officials of the Oyo State Rule of Law Enforcement Agency (OYRLEA) to order over their alleged invasion of Fulani settlements in Iseyin, which reportedly resulted in the killing of a Fulani boy, identified as Auta Abashe, and the seizure of several cattle.
The monarch also condemned the alleged killing and other acts of violence during the incident, urging the state government to investigate the circumstances surrounding the operation and ensure that those responsible are brought to justice.
The position of the monarch was made public by the Agba-Akin of Iseyinland, Chief Musediq Adeola Adeagbo, while addressing journalists at the Aseyin’s palace shortly after a meeting with Fulani leaders over the incident.
Adeagbo said the people of Iseyinland condemned in its entirety the alleged invasion of the Fulani settlements, the seizure of their cattle and the killing of Auta Abashe, describing the development as unacceptable and capable of threatening peaceful coexistence in the ancient town.
Recounting how the incident unfolded, the Agba-Akin disclosed that he received a distress call from the Seriki Fulani of Oyo State, Alhaji Yakubu Bello, between 3 a.m. and 4 a.m. on Friday, November 13, informing him that unidentified persons had invaded Fulani settlements in the area.
He said he immediately mobilised alongside the Ikolaba of Iseyinland, Alhaji Ismail Tikalosoro, and alerted security agencies before proceeding to the scene.
According to him, they discovered that the persons involved were officials of OYRLEA, who had allegedly tied up several cattle and were attempting to load them into their official vehicles.
Adeagbo alleged that the officials opened fire sporadically when community leaders and other security personnel challenged their actions, resulting in the death of Auta Abashe.
He added that another Fulani boy sustained gunshot injuries and was receiving treatment at Fadok Hospital, Iseyin, while a commercial motorcyclist was also reportedly hit by a bullet in the head.
The Agba-Akin further alleged that the officials attempted to escape through routes leading towards Ado-Awaye, Igbogaa and Ilua before returning to Iseyin. He said they were eventually intercepted at NIPCO along the Oyo Road after community members pursued them.
Adeagbo acknowledged that environmental protection and enforcement of relevant laws, including restrictions on open grazing, fall within the responsibilities of OYRLEA. However, he questioned the rationale behind the alleged operation, insisting that the affected cattle were taken from their owners’ settlements while they were asleep, rather than being arrested for grazing on public roads.
Similarly, Bello condemned the alleged conduct of the agency’s officials, accusing them of acting contrary to the objectives of the anti-open grazing law.
He also alleged that some officials had been involved in negotiating the sale of seized cattle in the presence of their owners, a development he described as disturbing.
The Seriki Fulani appealed to Governor Makinde to intervene, insisting that the agency’s activities were causing more harm than good to the Fulani community.
Also speaking, the Oyo State Chairman of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN), Alhaji Abubakar Jiji, accused the agency of threatening the livelihoods of cattle breeders through what he described as indiscriminate seizure of their animals.
Jiji maintained that the Fulani community remained committed to peace and peaceful coexistence with other ethnic groups, noting that they had held several meetings with security agencies, particularly the Department of State Services (DSS), to sustain mutual understanding.
He appealed to the Aseyin and Governor Makinde to intervene, stressing that the Fulani community had no intention of confronting the government but wanted justice, protection of their livelihoods and an end to actions capable of undermining peace in the area.
