Kwara South Hunters Accuse Government of Arming Miyetti Allah Amid Rising Insecurity
Indigenous hunters in Kwara South have accused the state government of allegedly arming the Fulani socio-cultural group, Miyetti Allah, to provide security in the region—despite recurring reports of kidnappings and killings by Fulani herdsmen.
The hunters, who said they have defended their communities for decades, expressed frustration that their sacrifices have been neglected. They lamented being under-equipped while Miyetti Allah members were allegedly empowered by the government.
Community leaders and youths from Ilere in Ifelodun Local Government Area staged a protest at the council secretariat in Share to register their grievances.
According to them, Ifelodun Local Government Chairman, Hon. Femi Yusuf, had earlier assured them of a meeting but failed to honour the appointment when they arrived at the council headquarters.
The aggrieved hunters questioned the government’s decision to arm Miyetti Allah.
“What can Miyetti Allah do for us in our own land, when Fulani herdsmen are the ones killing our people?” one of the leaders asked.
They called on the Kwara State Government and Senator Lola Ashiru, representing Kwara South, to take urgent action to halt the ongoing attacks, which they said have forced residents to flee almost 16 communities in the area.
The hunters demanded the immediate evacuation of Miyetti Allah operatives from their communities and instead sought empowerment and equipment for indigenous hunters who, they insisted, were better placed to defend the people.
“Kwara South is not the North. This is Yorubaland, and we must be able to defend ourselves,” a hunter declared.
‘Our Communities Are Deserted’
Narrating their ordeal, one of the leaders recounted how herdsmen attacked several communities:
“We booked an appointment with the local government chairman, who assured us we could meet him any time. But when we got to Share, he refused to answer our calls. Meanwhile, our people are being killed.
“Four days ago, Fulani herdsmen invaded Bankole community, attacked our leader Oluode, and killed him. Yesterday, they stormed Owa-Kajola, where they killed more of our hunters.
“As we speak, Ilere community is almost deserted. From Bankole to Oreke, Sebe, and Babanla, people have fled their ancestral homes. We are crying to the world: please, come to our rescue.”
Another stakeholder said kidnappings and killings have now become a daily reality in Kwara South. He added that farmlands were being destroyed, with Fulani herders allegedly harvesting crops like tomatoes and peppers left behind by displaced farmers.
“Our fathers and mothers can no longer farm. The government brought in Miyetti Allah, but what can they do? Our indigenous hunters remain incapacitated, yet they are the ones confronting the bandits without support.
“Yorubaland is bleeding. People are leaving their homes daily. We are appealing to our brothers in Ogun, Oyo, Osun, Lagos, Ekiti, and Ibadan to hear our cry,” he said.
‘Government Failed Us’
The hunters further alleged that while only a few of them received training, the government allegedly gave sophisticated weapons to Miyetti Allah.
“The duty of the government we elected is to protect lives and property. Instead, they have abandoned us and armed outsiders. What can Miyetti Allah do for us here, when Fulani herdsmen are the same people attacking us?”
They insisted that indigenous hunters, not outsiders, should be properly equipped to tackle insecurity in Kwara South.
“Almost 16 communities have been deserted. We want the government to withdraw Miyetti Allah from our land. Our hunters have been protecting us from the beginning empower them.
“We are extremely disappointed with the local government chairman, who promised to meet us today but failed to show up despite assurances,” they said.
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