Human rights lawyer speaks on being ambushed by herdsmen in Ondo State

Human rights lawyer, Kayode Ajulo has reacted to reports that he was ambushed by Fulani herdsmen at a checkpoint in Akoko village, Ondo State.

Reports surfaced that he was stopped by Fulani herdsmen baring guns and claiming to be the vigilante who are securing the community.

Reacting to the reports, Kayode Ajulo stated that the vigilante he saw are not what the media reported them to be. According to him, they are well known by security operatives in the community.

The lawyer shared:

“My attention has been drawn to the publication in print and electronic media of my encounter with some vigilantes on my way from Akure on the 21st July, 2019 which has generated a lot of controversial responses from different quarters.

“I have received calls from various well-wishers and friends of mine, locally and internationally, who out of concern, inquired whether I was hurt or injured by the vigilantes. It is pertinent to state that I am quite hale and hearty without any injury or harm.

“More so, it is important to state for the records the actual facts as regards the events that occurred that fateful, Sunday afternoon of 21st July, 2019 in order to clarify the narrative trailing the publications.

“It is quite true that I was in Akure, Ondo State from Friday, 19th July, 2019 to Sunday, 22nd July, 2019 for my mother’s investiture as the Iya-Ijo (Chief Matron) of our home Church, Christ Anglican Church, Oke-Ifira-Akoko, Ondo State.

“ On my way back to Abuja on the 22nd day of July, 2019 in the company of some security men, we saw two men at the highway around Akoko, Ondo State carrying dane guns.

“On sighting them, inquiry was made as to their duty on the highway with guns in their hands, being not uniformed men. They thereafter responded that they were members of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Vigilante group whose operation is known to all the security apparatus in the area.

“Also, they willingly showed us their identity cards which had their names and designations. Some other security men came to corroborate their claims.

“I therefore wish to debunk the account that I was stopped by Fulani Herdsmen as peddled by some persons.

“Our interaction is a voluntary undertaking as part of my profiling as a discerning leader of my community, desirous of curbing the menace of insecurity in Nigeria.”