By; BAYO AKAMO, Ibadan.
Oyo State government is to start prosecuting herdsmen caught with guns in and across any part of the 33 local government areas of the state.
The state government made this known in a communiqué issued at the end of the Oyo State Inter-Religious/Ethnic Committee (OYSIREC) held at the Executive Chamber of the state Governor’s office.
According to the communique, henceforth, any of the herdsman caught with guns in the state will be treated as criminals
OYSIREC in the communique hinted that a sub-Committee on Security has been constituted to address issues such as Herdsmen/Farmers clashes and activities as well as the utterances of extreme religious preachers.
Also, OYSIREC urged religous preachers in the state to “stop preaching hate and inciting sermons that derogate other religions” adding that religious leaders in the state should commend the good policies of government to their congregation and advise appropriately when necessary.
“Religious leaders should support government in implementing its good policies by preaching regularly in the holy places on issues such as: Clean Environment; Respect for Elders and People in Authority and other good initiatives of government” it said.
The meeting was attended by Governor, Abiola Ajimobi, religious, tribal, ethnic and community leaders including security agents across the state with the main objective of preferring solutions to preventing and abating ethnic and religious conflicts in the state.
