Due to the invasion of Akure South council secretariat in
Ondo State by 30 herdsmen, workers yesterday failed to report for duty vowing
not to resume till next Monday.
This was as the state governor, Mr. Rotimi
Akeredolu reportedly lambasted labor leaders in the area for addressing the
press yesterday giving impression that he (Akeredolu) was not in control of
situation in the state. Reports had it that the governor, invited the labor
leaders to a meeting where he accused them of instigating the council workers
and creating tension in the state over “a minor squabble.” There was, however,
palpable fear as three herdsmen were noticed in the council secretariat.
Vanguard was informed that barely 24 hours after the sack of the council, three
herdsmen on a motorcycle attempted to drive into the secretariat premises early
yesterday morning ostensibly to provoke the council workers. What could have
been another crisis was averted as they were prevented from using the council
as their thoroughfare to where their cattle were grazing. Vanguard learned that
some workers, who recognized the herdsmen, reportedly raised alarm and some
officials of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps deployed to secure
the council, had to stopped them. Plain clothes policemen and men of the
Department of State Security, DSS, were on ground when the incident happened
yesterday morning according to the council workers. Meanwhile, majority of the
council staff stayed away for fear of a reprisal attack by the herdsmen. Many
of the offices remained empty while workers present were seen in open places
abandoning their offices in case the herdsmen decided to stage a come back.
Vanguard was informed that many of the workers have decided to stay away until
Monday before resuming following the threats to their lives by the herdsmen.
Meanwhile, the state government is yet to officially react to the sack of the
council by the herdsmen. Speaking with newsmen, one of the workers confirmed
that three of the herdsmen returned to the secretariat yesterday with the aim
of provoking workers. He said: “We do not know their mission. They have not be
passing through the secretariat on motorcycle to where their cattle is grazing
before until yesterday. We have locked the gate of where they want to pass through
with their motorcycle. The NULGE chairman of Akure south, Olasoji Oluwatuyi
said normalcy has returned to the council adding that a Congress of the Union
took place on Wednesday and the workers have been assured of their safety.
Oluwatuyi said the herdsmen “are still occupying the contentious area where the
council farm is situated.”
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