Cows killed in Ondo by thunder lightning came from Kwara —Miyetti Allah

Some Fulani herders lost 36 cows to a lightning in Ijare, an agrarian community in Ifedore Local Government Area of Ondo State recently. The incident was blamed on alleged desecration of the shrine of an ancient deity in the community by the herders who moved to the area with the hapless animals. HAKEEM GBADAMOSI writes on the development.

A thunderstorm accompanied by a heavy rain which killed 36 cows last Saturday in the sleepy Ijare community in Ifedore Local Government Area of Ondo State has continued to raise questions. Many are still wondering if the incident was a natural occurrence or the wrath of the gods of the land.

The Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) in Ondo State described the death of the cows as an act of God. The chairman of MACBAN in the state, Bello Garba, said members of the association had visited the area to ascertain the cause of the death of the cows. He stated that the cows belonged to one Ladan who is based in Kwara State but the herders had moved to Ondo State not long ago. According to him, findings showed that the cows were not poisoned as being insinuated in some quarters. He said members of the association in the state would continue to live in peace with the host communities and continually sensitise its members to the need to avoid sacred areas.

Speaking on the development, the Olujare of Ijare, Oba Adegbamigbe Oluwagbemigun, said: “I have never witnessed an incident of this magnitude since I ascended to the throne 22 years ago and I don’t know if such had happened before my emergence. All I know is that Oke-Owa is a sacred place for the people of the community. A thing like that had never happened before, to the best of my knowledge, since I became the traditional ruler of this town. It [Oke-Owa] is not a place that anyone can just walk into. I go there once a year and leave the next morning. The whole community would be on hand to welcome me back.”

(Credit: Nigerian Tribune)