Ekiti Governor Ayodele Fayose Wednesday held an emergency security summit with hunters from the 16 local government areas of the state where ordered the huntsmen to set up a 24-hour surveillance of the state to prevent attacks by herdsmen.
The governor’s rather unconventional approach follows the recent massacre by herdsmen of over 70 people in Benue State amid widespread condemnation of Federal Government’s poor handling of the incident.
“The Federal Government should have sent the army to Benue, not the police,” Fayose said. And to his Benue State counterpart, he declared: “Governor Ortom should fasten his belt and protect his people. Those seeking help in Abuja would not find it because Abuja also needs help.”
He told the hunter-delegates: “Tell them Ekiti is a no-go area. My state is a no-go area. Those who want to make Ekiti ungovernable are wasting their time. Don’t kill anybody but defend your towns. Keep vigil on Ekiti. Don’t sleep again. Arise and fight for our people. How can the life of a cow be worth more than the life of men? My hunters! Go and represent me well. If you have juju, use it. Make them (herdsmen) sleep off. Anything you have, use it. Make sure your people are not killed.”
Fayose described his battle uniform as “a mark of leadership and solidarity with our hunters and vigilantes.” He noted: “I am a man that believes that his people must be protected. I therefore want you all to protect our people. Go and protect your domain. Make sure everybody entering our state on a daily basis is screened.”
He urged President Muhammadu Buhari to brand the “mindless and devilish” cattlemen as terrorists and observed a moment’s silence for the victims of the Benue tragedy.