The Governor of Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde has revealed that clashes between farmers and herder have reduced in the state.
The governor made this revelation while addressing citizens of the state at the town hall meeting which took place at the Iseyin Town Hall, Oja-Oba, Iseyin.
Makinde recalled that the state government did receive reports of clashes between farmers and herders almost every week.
He said his administration placed a man on open grazing in the state in November 2019, and later formed Amotekun.
He narrated that people thought he wanted to use the security outfit as an instrument to drive away Fulani herdsmen from the state, but the Fulanis and Yorubas have however been living peacefully together.
“When we came into government, we used to record farmers and herders clashes almost every week.
“In November 2019, I banned open grazing in Oyo State. “Later, we set up Amotekun. Everybody thought we created the outfit to send away the Fulani herdsmen but in Oyo State, the Fulanis and Yorubas have been living together. I can tell you that the farmers/herders clashes have reduced considerably.
“From the reports I have with me, there are clashes sometimes but Amotekun, Police, other security agencies and our traditional rulers have been able to manage and resolve some of those problems.
“We are on the right track and I can give you the assurance that it can only get better. I thank you all for your cooperation from all angles”.