Tension In Ogun After Man, Son Admit Beating Herdsman To Death

BY CAMI EZENWA

There is simmering tension in Gbagba Elewure village of Odeda Local Government Area of Ogun State where a farmer has confessed killing a herdsman, aided by his son.

The tension is fueled by fears of reprisal attacks despite that alleged culprits, Kolese Womiloju and his 25- year- old son Taiwo, have owned up to the act and are already in police net.

Recall a story by The Eagle – “Save Us From Total Eviction From Our Lands -Ondo Communities” – last week about four farming communities in nearby Ondo State literally on their knees and begging to be saved from suspected herdsmen who had been on the rampage, setting their farms ablaze and threatening the entire habitation.

Incidences of farmers’herdsmen clash have been common for some time now, without the authorities resolving them.

In the latest case, the deceased, Abubakar Sidi Usman, 32, who had a cattle settlement at Gbagba Elewure village, reportedly got missing last Wednesday, only for his lifeless body with machete to later be found by a search party, in an abandoned well inside, in a nearby bush the same evening.

Following a tipoff, Policemen from Odede division, led by the Divisional Police Officer, CSP Ajayi Williams, went into action and arrested the suspects after removing the body of deceased.

Spokesman for the Ogun State Police Command, DSP Abimbola Oyeyemi, who gave the farmer’s name as Kolese Womiloju and his 25- year- old son Taiwo, said they admitted culpability during questioning.

“They both confessed to the killing of the deceased. They said it was because they saw him grazing his cows around their farm.

“They stated further that the deceased was warned to take his cattle away from the area and when he refused, he was beaten with a charmed ring which made him to be unconscious after which he was matcheted to death.

“Thereafter, they said he was dragged to an abandoned well about one kilometer to the place and dumped there.

“Meanwhile, the Commissioner of Police, CP Kenneth Ebrimson, has ordered that the suspects be transferred to the Homicide Section of the State Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department, SCIID for further investigation and diligent prosecution.

“The CP also warned that those who are in the habit of taking laws into their own hands will not find it easy with the command because jungle justice has no place in our laws.”