The Oyo State Police Command has dismissed reports circulating on social media about an alleged farmer-herder clash in Ilowa-Gbade Village, Atiba Local Government Area, describing the claims as exaggerated.
In a statement issued on Saturday, the Police Public Relations Officer, CSP Osifeso Adewale, clarified that the incident was a personal dispute between a 20-year-old herder, Salau Isiaka, and a 25-year-old farmer, Akinkunmi Tiamiyu, over grazing rights.
“Preliminary investigations revealed that the dispute occurred on March 21, 2025, when Isiaka took his cattle to graze on Tiamiyu’s cassava farm. The situation escalated into a physical altercation, resulting in a severe head injury to the herder and significant injuries to the farmer, including the loss of two fingers on his left hand,” the statement read.
The police confirmed that both men are receiving medical treatment while a full investigation is being conducted by the Criminal Investigation Department at Iyaganku.
The command urged the public to avoid spreading unverified information that could “incite fear and disturb public tranquility.”
“We remain committed to ensuring the safety and security of all residents. We strongly advise against the dissemination of false reports that may disrupt public peace,” Osifeso stated.
The police also provided emergency contact lines for reporting suspicious activities, emphasizing the need for community collaboration in maintaining security.
