UPDATE: Workers Desert Duty Posts In Akure LG Over Herdsmen Attack

As a result of the invasion of Akure South council secretariat in Ondo State by 30 herdsmen, workers yesterday failed to report for duty, vowing not to resume till next Monday.

This was as the state governor, Mr. Rotimi Akeredolu reportedly lambasted labour leaders in the area for addressing the press yesterday, giving impression that he (Akeredolu) was not in control of situation in the state.

Reports had it that the governor invited the labour leaders to a meeting where he accused them of instigating the council workers and creating tension in the state over “a minor squabble.”

There was, however, palpable fear as three herdsmen were noticed in the council secretariat.

our correspondent was informed that barely 24 hours after the sack of the council, three herdsmen on a motorcycle attempted to drive into the secretariat premises early yesterday morning, ostensibly to provoke the council workers.

What could have been another crisis was averted as they were prevented from using the council as their thoroughfare to where their cattle were grazing.

Reports has it that some workers, who recognised the herdsmen, reportedly raised alarm and some officials of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps deployed to secure the council, had to stopped them.

Plain clothes policemen and men of the Department of State Security, DSS, were on ground when the incident happened yesterday morning according to the council workers.

Meanwhile, majority of the council staff stayed away for fear of a reprisal attack by the herdsmen.

Many of the offices remained empty while workers present were seen in open places abandoning their offices in case the herdsmen decided to stage a come back.

Reports also has it that many of the workers have decided to stay away until Monday before resuming following the threats to their lives by the herdsmen.

Meanwhile, the state government is yet to officially react to the sack of the council by the herdsmen.

Speaking with newsmen, one of the workers confirmed that three of the herdsmen returned to the secretariat yesterday with the aim of provoking workers.

He said: “We do not know their mission. They have not be passing through the secretariat on motorcycle to where their cattle is grazing before until yesterday. We have locked the gate of where they want to pass through with their motorcycle.

The NULGE chairman of Akure south, Olasoji Oluwatuyi said normalcy has returned to the council adding that a Congress of the Union took place on Wednesday and the workers have been assured of their safety.
Oluwatuyi said the herdsmen “are still occupying the contentious area where the council farm is situated.”