Soldiers, Amotekun clash over seized cows

Operatives of Ondo State Security Network code-named Amotekun Corps and soldiers from the 32 Artillery Brigade yesterday clashed over seizure of 100 cows, for violating the anti-grazing law.

Sources said the Amotekun operatives had seized the cows after acting on distress calls from farmers at Oke Aro,  Akure that their crops had been destroyed.

The sources said some soldiers stormed the area and prevented the cows from being taken away over claims that they belonged to their officers at the barracks.

Two operatives of the Amotekun personnel were said to have been taken away by the soldiers after shooting and exchange of blows.

The sources said: “As the Amotekun personnel were taking the cows to their office at Alagbaka, about 10 soldiers stormed the area with Hilux vehicle and prevented the apprehension of the cows.

“The soldiers insisted that the Amotekun men would not go away with the cows because they belonged to their officers at the barracks.

“But the Amotekun officers insisted that the cows had violated the anti-grazing law and must be taken to their office for the owners to bail them or pay for the damaged farms.

“Crisis started with an exchange of hot words and it later snowballed into an exchange of blows between the two security outfits on the street.

“Before we knew what was happening, they started shooting into the air.

“Immediately they started shooting, the residents scampered for safety.”

The Commander of Ondo Amotekun, Chief Adetunji Adeleye, who described the incident as a minor disagreement between officers of the two security outfits, said the issue had been resolved.

“It was the arrested herders that hid under the soldiers to cause misunderstanding between the security outfits. The video you see out there is mischievous.

“Let me confirm to you that the cows have been released to us.” (The Nation)