The Director of Justice, Development and Peace Commission of the Catholic Archdiocese of Ibadan (JDPC), Rev. Fr. Ezekiel Ade Owoeye, has charged governments at all levels- Federal, State and Local- to live up with their responsibilities of protecting lives and properties of people they are called to serve.
Fr. Owoeye gave the charge on Wednesday at the interactive session between Ibarapa farmers and representatives of Oyo State Government on farmers-herders conflict, which was organised by the commission.
In his opening address on the interactive session titled: “Farmers-Herders Conflict: Identifying Pathways to Peace,” Owoeye frowned at the anomalies of the herders in the state, most especially in Ibarapa community, which have gone unchecked.
He lamented over the criminal activities of the herdsmen in Ibarapa communities which had claimed many lives and dismantled local economies, thus exacerbating poverty in the community.
“It is snowballing gradually into a pogrom, for many lives are being lost daily. Our own Oyo State is not an exemption to this anomaly. We make news on this issue and the flash point is Ibarapa and its environs.
“Herdsmen have been having field days there, disrupting without any qualms, farming activities. Cattles are eating up, under the supervision of herders; farm produce and food crops meant for human consumption and commerce, thus dismantling local economies and exacerbating poverty in the community.
“Resistance from the farmers’ side has brought about raping, maiming, killings, kidnappings for ransom, arson, hoisting flag and appropriating territories, outright and audacious eviction of natives from their communities and ancestral lands, thereby becoming refugees in their own land,” he stated.
He expressed that the people had lost trust and confidence in government and security agents as it seemed they had not been able to properly secure lives and properties from these bandits.
He also lamented on how justice was not served and offenders were not arrested let alone brought to book by the security agents.
“Most times, justice was not served and offenders were not brought to book- that is if they were able to apprehend and prosecute them,” he said.
The JDPC Director added that, “The issue had been treated overtime with cuddling glove instead of heavy hammer on perpetrators, for no one should be above the law.”
However, Owoeye appealed to the good people of Ibarapa to make frantic efforts to forget the past and chart a new path of justice and brotherhood in the community.
He disclosed that the discussion between the farmers and the representatives of Oyo State Government was to ensure peaceful coexistence, where people of different culture, tribes and religion cohabit amicably, without trampling on the fundamental human rights of others.
He noted that “This peaceful coexistence is a possibility if we are open, honest, reasonable and sincere.”
“We know it is not easy, but with openness and forgiveness, this is achievable,” he admitted.
Owoeye also implored to the security agents to act and bring mischief makers, no matter how highly placed they are, to book, thereby restoring the last hope and confidence of the people.
He further beseeched the media “To report conflict without any iota of sensationalism and exaggeration, and to avoid fake news out rightly as this conflagrates and complicates already complex situation.”
The Discussion had in attendance the Director of JDPC, Rev. Fr. Ade Owoeye; Lawmaker representing Ibarapa North Central, Hon. Peter Gbadegeshi Ojedokun; Oyo State Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development, Hon. Muyiwa Ojekunle; Executive Adviser to the Governor on Agric-business, Dr. Debo Akande, and representatives of farmers from Ibarapa/East, Ibarapa/central, Ibarapa/North, and Secretary of Farmers’ Association in Ibarapa North Local Government Area.
